By Abiola Olawale
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has officially upheld the Senate’s authority to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, the appellate court ruled that the upper legislative chamber acted within its constitutional and procedural powers.
​A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, dismissed the appeal filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the earlier decision of the Federal High Court.
The court held that the Senate possesses the inherent right to discipline its members to maintain order and decorum during proceedings.
The court also ruled that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio acted within the Senate Standing Rules by refusing to recognize Akpoti-Uduaghan when she attempted to speak from a seat not officially allocated to her.
Justice Mohammed dismissed the Senator’s claim that she was entitled to prior notice before her seat was reallocated, stating that no such provision exists in the Senate Rules.
However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and a N5m fine imposed on the lawmaker over a satirical apology she directed at the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
