The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been suspended for six months over an allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The decision was reached on Thursday following a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions where she was accused of violating Senate rules.
“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 report.
The Minority Leader of the Senate, Abba Moro, pleaded for mercy and a mitigation option, stating that his submission was a reflection of all PDP Senators in the Senate.
In pleading for mercy, Moro recommended a three-month suspension, which he said was enough for the embattled lawmaker to realize her mistakes. He further argued that Nigerians are watching and seeing them as statesmen; hence, nothing should be done to bring disrepute to the chamber.
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 Chamber.
Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained”.
