THE Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months over her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
Despite efforts by some senators to mitigate the suspension period to three months, the Senate, in a majority vote, sustained the initial decision
However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.
Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained”.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan had presented a petition of sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio during Wednesday plenary, which sparked controversy.
The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40.
He argued that the matter could not be entertained or referred to the Ethics Committee, as it was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.
Monguno also contended that the petition could not be considered since Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.
As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”
