Appeal Court Settles Senate Dispute

Appeal Court Settles Senate Dispute

A ruling delivered in Abuja confirmed that the Senate acted within the law when it suspended Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct.

The Court of Appeal said her rights and legislative privileges were not violated by the action taken against her.

The dispute began after the senator sought to stop disciplinary steps by the Senate committee, leading to a brief court order restraining the process.

Despite this, the Senate went ahead and imposed a six-month suspension after adopting a committee report, a move that later triggered multiple legal turns and reassignment of judges.

In an earlier decision, the Federal High Court held that lawmakers’ privileges are subject to Senate rules and ruled that the Senate President was right to deny Akpoti-Uduaghan the chance to speak during plenary due to seating issues.

However, that court criticised the length of the suspension and also found the senator in contempt over a public post.

On appeal, the appellate court upheld the Senate’s authority to discipline its members and backed the Senate President’s actions during plenary.

It, however, set aside the contempt ruling and the fine imposed on the senator, bringing partial relief while affirming the suspension.