The Senate Committee on Ethic and Privileges recommended that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan be suspended for six months amid her sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The committee also recommended that Senator Natasha, who is representing Kogi Central, must apologise to the Senate for “disrespecting the Senate.”
The committee further recommended that her salary and security details be withdrawn for the period of the suspension.
The recommendation of the Committee came today, March 6, shortly after Senator Natasha resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President during plenary.
This time, she submitted the petition on behalf of her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu.
Following the presentation, Senate President Akpabio inquired whether there were any legal impediments to accepting the petition.
Senator Natasha responded that there were none. At 12:38 PM, Akpabio instructed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate.
The petition was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a directive to report back to the plenary within four weeks after legislative review.
This development follows a similar petition submitted by Senator Natasha the previous day, which sparked controversy.
The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40.
He argued that the matter could not be entertained or referred to the Ethics Committee, as it was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.
Monguno also contended that the petition could not be considered since Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.
As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”
This latest petition adds to the ongoing tensions between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio.
