The Senate Committee on Ethics has proposed a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The committee also noted that the Kogi Central senator should apologize to the Senate for what it described as “disrespecting the institution.” In addition, it recommended that she be stripped of her salary and security details during the suspension period.
The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan presented a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio. She later resubmitted the petition, this time on behalf of her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu. After confirming there were no legal obstacles, Akpabio allowed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate at 12:38 PM.
Following this, the petition was sent to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen of Edo South. The committee was instructed to review the matter and report back within four weeks.
This development came after a similar petition was submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan a day earlier, which had already sparked debate. Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) objected to the petition, citing Senate Standing Order 40. He argued that the issue was already in court due to an ongoing legal dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife.
Monguno also noted that since Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed the petition, it should not be considered by the Senate.
