Follow Us on Google
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, describing it as a far-reaching affirmation of the legislature’s constitutional authority to regulate its internal affairs, including the discipline of its members.
Reacting on Monday to the appellate court’s ruling, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said the decision underscored the principle of separation of powers and reinforced the autonomy of parliament in maintaining order within its chambers.
In its unanimous verdict delivered on February 9, 2026, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain disputes arising from the internal proceedings of the Senate.
Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, who delivered the lead judgment, ruled that the Senate acted strictly within its constitutional mandate when it suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct. He cited Section 66(4) of the Senate Standing Rules, which empowers the chamber to take disciplinary measures against members to preserve decorum and ensure orderly conduct of legislative business.
The appellate court further held that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privilege and fundamental rights were not violated by the suspension, stressing that lawful disciplinary actions undertaken in line with Senate rules do not amount to a breach of constitutional guarantees.
Other News
It added that the trial court’s comments questioning the six-month suspension were merely obiter dicta and did not invalidate the Senate’s decision.
While affirming the Senate’s disciplinary authority, the court, however, set aside the ₦5 million contempt fine imposed on the lawmaker. It held that the contempt allegation was criminal in nature and should have been prosecuted in line with established criminal procedures, including the issuance of Forms 48 and 49, which were not complied with.
Adaramodu, in a statement, said the ruling “decisively reinforces parliamentary autonomy and separation of powers, confirming that the Senate’s power to discipline its members is constitutionally protected and justiciable only where there is a clear breach of the Constitution or statute.”
He added: “Crucially, the Court held that lawful disciplinary action by the Senate does not infringe a member’s fundamental rights; such rights are not activated outside compliance with Senate rules governing participation. In effect, members must submit to internal legislative discipline, and courts will not intervene unless there is a demonstrable constitutional violation.”
The Senate spokesman noted that the judgment provides critical judicial clarity on the boundaries of legislative self-regulation and judicial oversight, strengthening the institutional integrity of the National Assembly.
