March 6, 2025
The Senate has suspended the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for a period of six months over misconduct amid the sexual harassment allegation she made against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The suspension, during the plenary on Thursday, came on the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
As part of the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salary and security details would be withdrawn, and she would be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises.
Furthermore, her office would also be locked, and her legislative aides would not receive their salaries during this period.
The Senate, ruled out reconsidering her suspension until after the six-months end or she submits a formal apology.
READ MORE; Akpabio Denies Natasha’s Sexual Harassment Allegations
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is met be her punishment for confronting the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, when she protested the reassignment of her seat.
She arrived at a plenary session on the said day to find her nameplate removed and her seat reassigned, which she protested was an attempt to silence her.
When her suspension was put to a vote after she was denied the opportunity to speak, the majority sided with the Ethics Committee’s recommendation.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro supported the committee’s recommendation, he likened the move to “correcting a child,” referencing her actions as warranted disciplinary action.
As a condition for appeal of the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit a written apology to the Senate for allegedly violating its rules.
READ MORE; Akpabio/Natasha Face-off: Court Stops Senate Probe.
The Ethics Committee originally recommended a six-month suspension but later reduced it to three months after the Senate considered the plea of Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), who had requested a reduction.
Recalled a heated altercation unfolded during a Senate plenary session two weeks ago when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reassignment of her seat without notification by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, raising her voice in protest, demanded an explanation for what she perceived as an unjustified move.
READ MORE; Mild Drama At Senate Plenary Between Senator Natasha And Senate President Akpabio
Following the incident, the matter was referred to the Ethics Committee over her actions during the plenary session.
Consequently, the Senate pushed the matter to the Senator Neda Imasuen-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, mandated the committee to conduct a holistic investigation and report back in two weeks.
The Senate’s resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), on news publications and reports regarding the incident.
