The Nigerian Senate is currently deliberating the proposed six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following an investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct. The committee cited multiple violations of Senate rules in its findings.
Senator Neda Imasuen, the committee chairman, read the recommendation for the suspension, which is scheduled to take effect on March 6, 2025. In addition to the suspension, the committee has also recommended the following actions: Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office will be sealed, she will be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises, and both her salary and the salaries of her legislative aides will be withheld during the suspension period. Furthermore, she will be prohibited from representing Nigeria in any official capacity as a senator.
The Kogi Central lawmaker may have the opportunity to appeal the suspension by submitting a written apology for the Senate’s review, according to the committee’s recommendations.
The Senate is expected to vote on this recommendation, and if it passes, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will forfeit all legislative privileges for the duration of her suspension.
Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has once again raised a petition before the Senate, this time signed by her constituents, alleging sexual harassment by Senator Godswill Akpabio. During the Senate plenary on Thursday, she was asked if the matter was already before a court of law, to which she responded that it was not.
In accordance with Senate protocol, the petition has been formally submitted and referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for further investigation. The committee has been given four weeks to complete its probe and report back to the Senate.
This marks the second occasion on which Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has brought forth the allegation in the Senate.
