Senate suspends Natasha for six months

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following her shouting match with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat arrangements. 

Tribune Online reports that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions had earlier proposed a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha following her shouting match with the Senate President over seat arrangements.

The recommendation was contained in a report presented to the Senate on Thursday by the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

Senate President Akpabio, while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, stated 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.” 

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Meanwhile, the committee is also saddled with responsibility of investigating her claims of sexual harassment against Akpabio, Tribune Online reports.

Although some senators attempted to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate upheld the initial six-month decision through a majority vote. 

However, lawmakers agreed that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she issued 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 announced at the Red Chamber on Thursday.

Following the ruling, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms.

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