By Our Correspondent
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct has recommended a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central. This recommendation follows investigations citing her for violations of Senate rules.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, presented the report during Thursday’s plenary session. The recommendations include locking Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office, barring her from accessing the National Assembly premises during the suspension, and withdrawing her salaries along with those of her legislative aides. Additionally, she would be prohibited from representing Nigeria in any official capacity as a senator during the suspension period. The committee also suggested that she may submit a written apology for the Senate to review her suspension.
The Senate is expected to vote on this recommendation, which, if upheld, would strip Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of all legislative privileges for the duration of her suspension.
This development is the latest in the ongoing dispute between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The conflict began over a seating arrangement issue and escalated when the senator accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. On Wednesday, the same committee dismissed her petition alleging abuse of office, sexual harassment, and obstruction of legislative duties, describing it as “dead on arrival.” Despite this, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted the petition during Thursday’s plenary.
The committee has been directed to investigate the resubmitted petition and report back to the Senate within four weeks.
