The Nigerian Senate on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen, the Senator representing Kogi Central for six months over her sexual harassment dispute with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Senate stripped the lady senator bare, suspending her salaries, and locking her office during the duration of the suspension. The Senate also withdrew her security while she would not be allowed to represent the Senate both locally or internationally. Furthermore, she would not be allowed to come near the senate.
However, as severe as the punishment, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was deviant, shows no remorse and insists: “This injustice will not be sustained”.
The senate resolution is as follows:
“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.
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 Chamber on Thursday.
Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms.
Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com