The long-running “seat-gate” saga between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio reached a decisive turning point on Monday.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja clarified that legislative decorum is non-negotiable, affirming that the Senate acted legally when it suspended the Kogi Central lawmaker.
Justice Abba Bello Mohammed noted that the chaos of February 20, 2025—sparked by the Senator’s refusal to accept a seat relocation—fell squarely under the Senate’s disciplinary jurisdiction.
While Akpoti-Uduaghan argued her rights were trampled upon, the court maintained that the Standing Rules exist specifically to prevent such disruptions.
Although the suspension remains valid, the appellate court showed some leniency by setting aside the heavy financial penalty previously awarded against her for contempt.
The court also ruled that the claim of Natasha that she was not given prior notice on the change of seat was unattainable because there was no provision for prior notification as she claimed.
In the unanimous judgment, Justice Mohammed said the Federal High Court, in the first instance ought to have declined jurisdiction in entertaining the suit having discovered that the Senate acted in line with the provision that permits it to suspend any erring member.
The Appeal Court said, Senator Natasha, upon being told of the re-allocation of seat, ought to have moved to the new seat, adding that the Senate was right to enforce order six, rule two following her persistent refusal to obey the Senate order.
The appellate court further observed that Senator Natasha’s refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions significantly weakened her case.
Additionally, the court dismissed her claim that the suspension violated a prior judicial order.
Justice Mohammed clarified that because Justice Obiora Egwuatu had recused himself from the case—resulting in a fresh start before Justice Binta Nyako—the initial order was no longer legally binding.
However, the Senator secured a partial victory as the Court of Appeal quashed the contempt charges and the ₦5 million fine previously imposed by the trial court.
The justices ruled that the failure to serve Senator Natasha with the mandatory Forms 48 and 49 was a “fatal” procedural error.
Consequently, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and vacated the financial penalty in its entirety.
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