Suspension: Akpabio floors Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at Appeal Court

The Appeal Court has ruled that the Senate acted within its powers when it suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court also stated that the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio did not breach the senator’s privileges by refusing her to speak during plenary, because she was not sitting in her assigned seat at the time — based on the Senate rules.

The appeal court explained that the Senate operates on its rules, part of which specifies the power of the president of the Senate to allocate seats to senators.

The three-man appeal court judges, led by Mr. Justice A.B Muhammed, however vacated the ₦5 million (Five million Naira) fine slammed on Akpoti-Uduaghan, as well as the contempt of court proceedings instituted against her. The court opposed the duration of her suspicions, calling it an “excessive” action.

The court also faulted the Kogi senator for publishing a satirical opinion directed at Akpabio, in breach of its restraining order.

As a consequence, it ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a public apology to the court in two national dailies and on her Facebook.