‘This Injustice Will Not Sustained’ Sen Akpoti Says as the Senate Slams Her with Six Months Suspension
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been suspended for a period of six months over the sexual harassment allegation against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
The decision of the Senate follows the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Chaired by Senator Imasuen Neda Bernards (Labour Party, Edo South).
The committee had earlier made the recommendation to the Senate after deliberating on the allegations levelled against Senator Akpabio by the Kogi Central lawmaker who had publicly while featuring on a TV programme accused the President of the Senate of sexually harassing her.
Announcing the committee’s recommendation, Senator Neda Imasuen argued, “That the Senate do suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules 2023 as amended for bringing the President, the Presiding Officer, and the entire Senate in general to public app.”
“That for the Senate to consider lifting the suspension or to reduce the term of suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before the reconsideration by the Senate.
“The Senate do suspend Senator with effect from 6 March 2025 from all legislative activities forethought.
“Her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension and hand over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“That for the duration of her suspension she cannot come close, or be seen within the vicinity of the National Assembly, including her staff.
“That her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, be suspended and withdrawal of all security detail for the duration of her suspension. For the period of her suspension, she be barred from representing herself to the public locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Confirming the suspension the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio senate put the recommendation of the committee to vote after Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro supported the committee’s recommendation, citing that her actions warranted disciplinary action.
However, despite the hostile posture of the leadership of the Senate that promptly directed the Sargent-at-Arms to immediately escourt Senator Natasha Akpoti out of the Senate Chamber, the embattled Kogi Lawmaker who looked unfazed grabbed a microphone and retorted, “this Injustice will not stand,” after which she exited the chamber.