Senate suspends Natasha for 6 months, withdraws privileges
The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“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 while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct who were probing her claims of sexual harassment.
The Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct cited the Kogi lawmaker for total violation of Senate rules.
The committee’s recommendation was read by its Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, her suspension will take effect from March 6, 2025.
The committee said that her office will be locked, and she will be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises during the suspension period, her salaries and those of her legislative aides will be withdrawn.
She will be prohibited from representing Nigeria in any official capacity as a senator of the Federal Republic during the suspension.
READ ALSO: Kogi political leaders urge Senator Natasha to apologise to Akpabio
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.
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”.
This is coming as Senator Natasha has once again brought before the Senate a petition alleging sexual harassment from Akpabio. But this time, it was signed by her constituents.
During the plenary on Thursday, Senator Natasha was asked whether the matter was already before any court of law. But she said it was not.
Following protocol, the lawmaker was directed to formally submit the petition, after which it was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for investigation.
READ ALSO: “Dead on arrival,” Senate rejects Natasha’s sexual harassment petition against Akpabio
The committee has been given four weeks to conduct its probe and report to the Senate.
This marks the second time the Kogi Central lawmaker has raised the allegation in the chamber.
A previous petition was dismissed on Wednesday owing to procedural irregularities.
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