Senate Suspends Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan For Six Months Over Misconduct
By Lekan Sowande, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, for six months, over alleged misconduct and violation of the Senate rules.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension came after a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
As part of the suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salary and security details will be withdrawn, and she will be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises.
Her office will also be locked, but her legislative aides will continue to receive their salaries during this period.
The Senate further ruled out reconsidering her suspension until the six-month term ends or she submits a formal apology.
Her suspension follows a heated confrontation in the Senate, where she protested the reassignment of her seat by Senator Akpabio.
She arrived at a plenary session to find her nameplate removed and her seat reassigned, which she argued was an attempt to silence her.
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During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, presented its findings, making seven recommendations.
According to the committee, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to adhere to Senate rules and also disregarded the committee by refusing to honour its invitation.
Reading the committee’s recommendations, Senator Imasuen said,
“One, that the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of Senate standing rules, bringing the presiding officer and the entire Senate to public opprobrium.
“Two, that for the Senate to consider lifting or reducing the duration of the suspension, Senator Natasha Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before reconsideration.
“Three, that the Senate suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from March 6, 2025, from all legislative activities.
“Four, that her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension and that she hand over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“Five, that for the duration of her suspension, she must not be seen within the vicinity of the Senate or the National Assembly, including her staff.
“Six, that her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, be suspended, and that all security details assigned to her be withdrawn for the period of her suspension.
“Seven, that during her suspension, she be barred from representing herself locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
After a lengthy debate on the report by Senators, all the recommendations were adopted by the Senators through a voice vote with a slight amendment to the 6th recommendation, allowing Senator Natasha’s aides to receive their salaries and allowances in order not to suffer unduly.
After the adoption of the report, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly interrupted the proceedings, saying the injustice against her won’t be sustained. She was thereafter escorted out of the chamber.
Resubmission of petition
Earlier before the suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senator Akpabio during plenary, this time on behalf of her constituents, led by one, Zubairu Yakubu.
After confirming there were no legal barriers, Senator Akpabio directed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate.
Her petition was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a mandate to report back within four weeks.
Senator Akpabio, one of the country’s most senior politicians in Nigeria on Wednesday denied the allegations saying at no time had he ever harassed any woman.
The Senate President, said he had been inundated with calls on the matter since February 25, and that he was aware of the growing social media discourse. He urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions and await the court’s decision on the matter.
Before becoming senate president less than two years ago, Senator Akpabio was governor of the oil-rich Akwa Ibom state for eight years and also former minister of Niger Delta affairs under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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