In response to a sexual harassment accusation against Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Nigerian Senate on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
The suspension came when the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions’ chairman reported to the Committee of the Whole that there were many violations of the Senate’s Rules and Orders.
The female legislator was given the chance to provide her own perspective during the committee’s probe on Wednesday, according to the committee’s chairman, Senator Imasuen Neda Bernards, who is representing the Edo South Senatorial District.
He gave a detailed account of the committee’s investigation hearing, stating that, in accordance with the committee’s mandate, testimony was obtained to determine whether or not the respondent’s accusation was true.
In violation of the pertinent articles of the Senate’s Rules and Orders, Senator Neda remembered that the respondent caused “chaos and a rowdy session” on Wednesday of last week when she refused to take a seat that was given to her and started a screaming match.
When Senator Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu went before the panel on Wednesday to defend his petition against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, he testified to the regrettable occurrence, he said.
The Committee Chairman insisted that when a petition against Senator Natasha was sent to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, she was formally invited for an investigation.
In his remarks, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho, who represents the Ondo South Senatorial District, voiced his disapproval of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions and emphasized the importance of preserving the Senate as an institution.
Jimoh stated: “This institution is not about an individual. We have rules to regulate our activities.
“If we breach our own rules, the executive will not come here to enforce them, and I must commend the committee for the succinct report to the Senate.”
Referencing the Constitution, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno insisted that “it is only in the animal kingdom that there are no rules and regulations,” arguing that since the Senate will outlive everyone, its norms must be upheld.
On February 20, 2025, Senator Bassey Aniekun Etim bemoaned, “I agree with all the issues raised in the report, so I watched with disappointment the shouting, the screaming.”
Abba Moro, the Senate Minority Leader, said his statement represented the views of all PDP senators in the Senate and begged for leniency and a mitigating measure.
In an attempt to show mercy, Moro suggested a three-month suspension, which he claimed would be sufficient for the troubled politician to acknowledge her errors. He went on to say that nothing should be done to bring the chamber into shame because Nigerians are watching and viewing them as statesmen.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio stated, “The Senator we are talking about is the wife of my very close friend and brother,” following the contributions of a few senators from both the majority and minority parties.
“On the day of her marriage, I slept in their house in the year 2020, and when I was to leave, I missed my flight at Obajana Airstrip and I slept again at Dangote Cement,” he said.
Following a voice vote, the Senate President upheld the six-month ban.
Among the resolutions are the following: she will turn over all National Assembly property, her security information will be removed, and the Sergeant-at-Arms will promptly lock her office to prevent her from accessing it.
