Sexual harassment allegation fallout: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan bags six months suspension

The Kogi State Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan who alleged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment has been suspended for six months by the Senate over alleged misconduct.

Penpushing reports that Akpabio, who was alleged of sexual harassment announced the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan on Thursday after it was supported by a majority of his colleagues during the plenary.

The Senate explained that the suspended senator was handed the verdict for her refusal to comply with the chamber’s sitting arrangement during the plenary session on February 20, 2025.

Penpushing further reports that Senate in the same vein resolved to suspend Apoti-Uduagan’s salary and allowances while all her security aides would be withdrawn during the suspension period.

The Senate, however, explained that if Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology, the leadership of the chamber may consider lifting the suspension before the six-month period expires.

Penpushing also reports that the Chairman Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen while presenting the report explained that the committee had reviewed the petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan, taking into account the Nigerian Constitution, Senate standing rules, and principles of equity and justice.

The committee boss who is of Labour Party (LP), Edo South said both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, were invited to present their positions.

Penpushing reports that the committee chairman stated that while Adaramodu honoured the invitation, Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to appear, an act the committee considered disrespectful.

The committee chairman stated that the committee also took testimonies from multiple individuals, including Benue North-west Senator, Titus Zam, a Sergeant-at-Arms, Mukthar Daudawa, and head of Sergeant-at-Arms, Etido Ekpo, a retired brigadier general, adding that they all testified against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Penpushing further reports that on the sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio, the committee chairman maintained that his panel dismissed the petition on the grounds that it violated Senate rules, as it was personally signed by her.

‘Following its findings, the committee recommended a six-month suspension for Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from 6 March with additional penalties, including withdrawal of all her security aides’.

‘The committee also recommended the closure of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office within the National Assembly and handover all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk to the National Assembly’.

‘The panel also recommended prohibition from entering the National Assembly premises during the period of suspension and that her salaries and allowances should be suspended’.

‘The panel also recommended that the Kogi senator should be barred from representing herself as a senator both locally and internationally during the period of her suspension’.

Penpushing also reports that Senator Jimoh Ibrahim of Ondo State South seconded the motion recommending the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan and other punitive measures taken against her.

The Senator declared that the action and attitude of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan contravened the rules of the Senate and she should be made to face consequences of her actions

Penpushing reports that it is recalled that the controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to occupy her new seat because it was done without her consent and she believes the action violated her privileges.

Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report it was not clear if Akpoti-Uduaghan would apologise or challenge her suspension in court, but given her vocal stance since the beginning of the controversy and her history of activism, there are speculations that she might take legal action rather than submit a written apology to the Senate.

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