Akpabio vs Natasha: Court strikes out N5m fine, apology order

2026-02-09 - 16:18

By John Alechenu, Abuja The Appeal Court has overturned the N5m fine and apology order against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling in her favour over her disputed six-month suspension, which she had described as illegal and unconstitutional. In its judgment delivered on Monday, the appellate court held that the contempt proceedings were fundamentally flawed, citing the failure to comply with mandatory legal procedures. Specifically, the court ruled that the failure to properly serve Forms 48 and 49, as required by law, rendered the entire process incompetent and void. According to the court, the defective procedure vitiated the contempt action ab initio, leading to the resolution of Issue Four squarely in favour of the appellant, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Consequently, the Court of Appeal set aside the N5 million fine earlier imposed on the Kogi Central lawmaker and equally vacated the order directing her to tender an apology, bringing the contempt matter to a definitive close in her favour. The appeal formed part of the broader legal battle trailing the senator’s six-month suspension from the Senate, a disciplinary action that has generated controversy. Several legal experts and civil society groups had argued that the length and nature of the suspension amounted to an abuse of legislative powers and an infringement on the rights of her constituents to representation. Reacting to the development, sources within the senator’s legal team described the ruling as a resounding affirmation of due process and the rule of law, noting that disciplinary powers, even within the legislature, must be exercised strictly within constitutional and procedural limits. One of the sources said, “The Court of Appeal has once again reinforced the principle that no authority is above the law. Where due process is ignored, the outcome cannot stand.” The Senator’s supporters express confidence that the ruling strengthens Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing challenge to her suspension and may have far-reaching implications for legislative discipline and accountability in Nigeria’s democracy. They hailed the judgement as a significant legal and moral victory and a reminder that the judiciary remains a vital safeguard against procedural excesses within public institutions. End.