The lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology
Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan For Six Months
“This injustice will not be sustained” – Natasha
The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules.
Her suspension followed her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment, a claim the latter has denied.
“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 on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.
Despite efforts by some senators to reduce 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.
“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio said at the Red Chambers on Thursday.
It, however, agreed that her aides’ salaries be paid, contrary
“The aides of Natasha are not Natasha,” Senator Orji Kalu said while calling for an amendment to the sanctions. “It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances.”
Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained”.
Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for Six Months
The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months due to violations of the chamber’s rules.
Her suspension comes after a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment—a claim that he has denied.
“The Senate will suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her significant violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023, as amended), which has brought both the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate into public disrepute,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated on Thursday while announcing the recommendations from the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct that investigated her claims.
Despite attempts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate ultimately upheld the original six-month suspension by a majority vote.
However, the lawmakers indicated that the suspension could be lifted or shortened if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a written apology.
“For the Senate to consider lifting or reducing this suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must provide a written apology before her case is re-evaluated by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio remarked in the chamber on Thursday.
The Senate also agreed that her aides’ salaries should continue to be paid. “The aides of Natasha are not Natasha,” Senator Orji Kalu stated while advocating for an amendment to the sanctions. “It would be unjust for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances.”
After her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-at-Arms. Before leaving, she proclaimed, “This injustice will not be sustained. Read More
