Senate President Godswill Akpabio has congratulated members of the Senate following the Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, imposed in March 2025.
Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday at the start of an emergency plenary session of the Senate.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had ruled that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers when it suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct. In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel held that the senator’s parliamentary privilege and constitutional rights were not violated by the disciplinary action.
Addressing his colleagues, Akpabio emphasised the importance of adherence to legislative rules and constitutional provisions.
“Your rules derive from the Nigerian Constitution, and the Standing Orders of the Senate must always be adhered to,” he said.
He added that discipline was essential for order within any institution, noting that the court had validated the Senate’s action.
“Any community without law and order will live in anarchy, and so the suspension that you handed over to one of your colleagues for unruly behaviour in the Senate was confirmed by the Court of Appeal,” Akpabio stated.
According to him, the judgment reaffirmed the Senate’s authority to discipline erring public officers.
“It was judicially confirmed by the Court of Appeal as the court went forward to say that you have the powers to discipline any erring officer of government,” he said.
Akpabio concluded by congratulating the senators and commending the judiciary for what he described as its firmness.
Elijah Adeyemi
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