BREAKING: Senate Suspends Kogi Central Senator For 6 Months Over Misconduct
As Natasha fights back, says ‘injustice’ won’t stand
The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for six months starting from March 6, 2025. The suspension follows allegations of misconduct and violation of Senate rules in 2023, which were investigated by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
The controversy that led to the suspension began in February, after a dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber. The disagreement escalated into a confrontation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This clash evolved into a series of allegations regarding misconduct and abuse of office, with Akpabio denying any inappropriate behavior, stating that he had “never harassed or disrespected any woman.”
During Thursday’s plenary, Senator Neda Imasuen, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ethics, presented the committee’s findings and its recommendations, which included the following key points:
- Suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for violating Senate rules and bringing the Senate into public disrepute.
- A requirement for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to submit a written apology to the Senate before any consideration of lifting or reducing her suspension.
- Suspension from all legislative activities with effect from March 6, 2025.
- Locking up her office and requiring her to hand over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
- A ban on her presence at the Senate or National Assembly, including a restriction on her staff, during the suspension period.
- Suspension of her salary, allowances, and those of her legislative aides, with security details also being withdrawn.
- A bar on her representing herself as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during her suspension, both locally and internationally.
Senator Imasuen expressed gratitude on behalf of the committee, thanking the Senate leadership for entrusting them with the responsibility of conducting the investigation.
Following a debate, the Senate adopted all the committee’s recommendations with a slight amendment. The amendment allowed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s aides to continue receiving their salaries and allowances to prevent undue hardship on them.
While the recommendations were being adopted, Senator Natasha briefly interrupted the proceedings, expressing her belief that the suspension was an act of injustice against her. She declared that the injustice would not stand, before being escorted out of the chamber.
The matter has sparked significant attention within the Senate, and the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator marks a dramatic development in the ongoing conflict.
