The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers when it suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, over alleged misconduct. The appellate court’s judgment delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, ends months of legal disputes surrounding the lawmaker’s suspension.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the Court of Appeal held that the Senate has the authority to discipline any erring member and that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constitutional rights and parliamentary privileges were not violated by the suspension. The panel also quashed a N5 million fine that had been previously imposed on the senator in relation to related proceedings.

Background to the Legal Battle

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension traces back to March 6, 2025, when the Senate voted to suspend her for six months following a public confrontation with then-Senate President Godswill Akpabio at a plenary session on February 20, 2025. The incident reportedly involved a dispute over seating arrangements, which escalated to allegations of misconduct.

Following the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan took legal action, seeking to challenge the Senate’s decision at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In July 2025, a Federal High Court judge ruled that her suspension was excessive and violated her constituents’ right to representation, ordering that she be recalled and fining her ₦5 million for contempt of court.

However, the Senate appealed that judgment, arguing that legislative disciplinary matters fall within its internal powers and procedures. The appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal in late 2025 and early 2026, culminating in Monday’s ruling.

Court’s Rationale and Key Findings

In its judgment, the appellate court stressed that the Senate acted within the scope of its constitutional authority to discipline members whose conduct is deemed contrary to established rules and procedures. The court held that the Senate’s internal procedures — including determining member conduct and appropriate sanctions — are supported by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and do not inherently violate the fundamental rights of legislators when applied correctly.

The ruling further noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental rights were not breached and that the Senate did not act arbitrarily or outside its powers when carrying out her suspension. The appellate panel also found procedural issues with some aspects of the senator’s earlier filings, leading to the dismissal of those grounds in her challenge.

Political and Legal Repercussions

The decision is likely to have significant implications for the balance of legislative discipline and judicial oversight in Nigeria’s democratic system. Legal experts say the judgment may reinforce the Senate’s ability to enforce its rules internally, while also signalling that such powers must still align with constitutional protections. Observers say this ruling could influence future disputes involving parliamentary discipline and member conduct.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been a controversial figure in national politics since her suspension, with the matter attracting widespread public attention and debate across Nigeria. In addition to the suspension case, she has faced separate legal challenges including defamation and cybercrime charges — matters still before other courts.

Next Steps

As of this report, it is not clear whether Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan will appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling to the Supreme Court, Nigeria’s highest court, although earlier reports indicated that the Senate President had previously filed a notice of appeal in related proceedings. Political analysts say that both parties could pursue further legal avenues as the high-profile dispute continues to unfold.