Court docket of Attraction, Abuja Division has affirmed the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate .
The court docket held that the Senate has powers to self-discipline any erring member and that, within the instantaneous case, Natasha’s basic proper was by no means breached as she alleged.
Justice Abba Bello Mohammed whereas delivering judgement in an attraction filed by Natasha in opposition to the judgement of the Federal Excessive Court docket, held that from the supply of Part 66(4) of the Senate’s standing guidelines, the Senate has the ability to invoke disciplinary motion to make sure orderliness within the conduct of Senate’s proceedings.
The Attraction Court docket held that Senator Natasha was mistaken on the February 20, 2025 incident when the Senate President allotted a brand new seat to her and refused to just accept the order.
The choose additionally stated that Natasha’s declare that she was not given prior discover on the change of seat was unattainable as a result of there was no provision for prior notification as she claimed.
Within the unanimous judgement, Justice Mohammed stated the Federal Excessive Court docket, within the first occasion should have declined jurisdiction in entertaining the swimsuit having found that the Senate acted in keeping with the supply that allows it to droop any erring member.
The appellate court docket stated Senator Natasha, upon being advised of the re-allocation of seat, should have moved to the brand new seat, including that the Senate was proper to implement order six, rule two following her persistent refusal to obey the Senate order.
The Court docket of Attraction additional held that the refusal of Senator Natasha to look earlier than the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petition and Privileges didn’t assist her matter.
The appellate court docket additionally dismissed Natasha’s declare that her suspension was carried out in violation of an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, including that since Justice Egwuatu recused himself and the matter began afresh by Justice Binta Nyako, the order of Justice Egwuatu was not subsisting.
However the court docket faulted the contempt cost in opposition to Senator Natasha and the N5 million superb imposed on her by Justice Binta Nyako.
Based on the Court docket of Attraction, the failure by the trial court docket to serve kinds 48 and 49 on the Kogi Senator was deadly.
The Court docket subsequently put aside the content material proceedings and the N5 million superb imposed on the Kogi Senator.