The Nigerian Senate has expressed satisfaction with the Appeal Court ruling, which affirmed the power of the upper chamber in subjecting its members to internal discipline.
Recall that a three-man panel of the Appeal Court in Abuja, on Monday, upheld the decision of the Senate to suspend Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for alleged misconduct.
The Court, in a unanimous decision, ruled that it was within the powers of the Senate to have suspended Uduaghan for misconduct. 
The judgment read by Justice Abba Mohammed, added that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privilege and constitutional rights were not breached by her suspension.
The appellate court held that, by virtue of the provision of Section 66(4) of the Senate’s standing rules, the Senate has the power to invoke disciplinary action to ensure orderliness in the conduct of the Senate’s proceedings.
Reacting to the judgment, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said the judgment reinforces the autonomy of the legislative arm and affirmed the powers of the Senate to discipline erring members.
“The judgment 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 said.
Adaramodu further stated that “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.”
