- Recall that the Kogi Central Senator was referred to the committee to over her alleged misconduct following a face-off with the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement in the chamber.
- The controversy took a new twist days later when Senator Natasha accused Senaotr Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, among others.
The Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has proposed suspending Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the representative of Kogi Central, for six months.
Speaking at the plenary on Thursday, Neda Imaseun, chairman of the committee, said the panel’s report resulted from an inquiry that found her violating Senate rules.
The panel also proposed sealing her office, prohibiting her entry into the National Assembly during suspension, and stopping her salary along with her legislative aides’ wages.
Her suspension is to take immediate effect from March 6, 2025, in accordance with the Senate’s decision regarding the violations attributed to her actions.
“That the Senate do suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules 2023 as amended for bringing the President, the Presiding Officer, and the entire Senate in general to public app…..,” Imaseun said.
“That for the Senate to consider lifting the suspension or to reduce the term of suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before the reconsideration by the Senate.
“The Senate do suspend Senator with effect from 6 March 2025 from all legislative activities forethought.
“Her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension and hand over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“That for the duration of her suspension she cannot come close, come, or be seen within the vicinity of the National Assembly, including her staff.
“That her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, be suspended and withdraw of all security details for the duration of her suspension.
“For the period of her suspension she be barred from representing herself to the public locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The dispute began when Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio engaged in sexual harassment and abused his authority in office, sparking significant controversy.
On Wednesday, the Senate panel dismissed the sexual harassment complaint brought by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, citing procedural errors and legal constraints.
The panel, which deemed the petition “dead on arrival,” stated that she personally signed it instead of obtaining another person’s endorsement, making it invalid.
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