The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The decision, reached on Thursday, came after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions reviewed the case and found her guilty of multiple violations of Senate rules.
Presenting the committee’s findings, Chairman Senator Imasuen Neda Bernards explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan was given opportunities to defend her claims during the investigation. However, the committee cited several issues leading to her suspension:
She allegedly disrupted proceedings by refusing to sit in her designated seat. She engaged in a heated verbal exchange during a Senate session. Senator Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu, who filed a petition against her, testified regarding her conduct.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho emphasized the need to uphold Senate rules, stating that no lawmaker should be above the law. Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno reinforced this, saying that rules exist in every civilized society, unlike in the “animal kingdom.”
Despite an appeal from Minority Leader Abba Moro to reduce the suspension to three months, the Senate upheld the six-month penalty through a voice vote, with Senate President Akpabio presiding.
