Senate Suspends Natasha For Six Months Without Pay
The Senate on Thursday, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months without pay for making allegations of sexual harassments against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.
The Senate on Thursday, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months without pay for making allegations of sexual harassments against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.
The suspension followed a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, submitted to the Committee of the Whole, citing several infractions on the Rules and Orders of the Senate.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Imasuen Neda Bernards, representing Edo South Senatorial District, reported that the committee carried out an investigation on Wednesday, during which the female lawmaker was afforded the opportunity to state her own side of the story.
According to Bernards, during the committee's sitting, testimonies were taken to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegation raised by Senator Natasha, in accordance with the mandate of the committee.
Bernards further noted that on Wednesday last week, the respondent caused “chaos and a rowdy session” when she refused a seat assigned to her and engaged in a shouting match, in discordance with the relevant provisions of the Rules and Orders of the Senate, as testified to by Senator Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu when he appeared before the panel on Wednesday to defend his petition against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Imasuen Neda Bernards, representing Edo South Senatorial District, reported that the committee carried out an investigation on Wednesday, during which the female lawmaker was afforded the opportunity to state her own side of the story.
According to Bernards, during the committee's sitting, testimonies were taken to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegation raised by Senator Natasha, in accordance with the mandate of the committee.
Bernards further noted that on Wednesday last week, the respondent caused “chaos and a rowdy session” when she refused a seat assigned to her and engaged in a shouting match, in discordance with the relevant provisions of the Rules and Orders of the Senate, as testified to by Senator Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu when he appeared before the panel on Wednesday to defend his petition against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He, also, noted that Senator Natasha was formally invited for investigation following the referral of a petition against her to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, but added that she failed to attend.
In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, expressed concern over the conduct of Senator Natasha, adding that the Senate as an institution must be protected at all costs.
Jimoh's words, “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.”
The Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, in reference to the provision of the Constitution, maintained that “it is only in the animal kingdom that there are no rules and regulations,” pointing out that the Senate will outlive everyone; hence, the institution’s rules must be protected.
Furthermore, Senator Bassey Aniekun Etim lamented that he watched with disappointment on February 20, 2025, “the shouting, the screaming, so I agree with all the issues raised in the report.”
The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, pleaded for mercy and a mitigation option, stressing that his submission was a reflection of all PDP Senators in the National Assembly.
Moro recommended a three-month suspension, which he said was enough for the embattled lawmaker to realize her mistakes, pointing out that Nigerians were watching and seeing them as statesmen; hence, nothing should be done to bring disrepute to the chamber.
After listening to all the contributions from the dominant and minority parties, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said, “The Senator we are talking about is the wife of my very close friend and brother.
“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.”
Thereafter a voice vote was taken and Senator Akpabio approved the suspension.
Part of the resolutions include that she would surrender all National Assembly properties, her security details to be withdrawn, even as the Sergeant-at-Arms would seal her office immediately so, as to deny her access to it.
In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, expressed concern over the conduct of Senator Natasha, adding that the Senate as an institution must be protected at all costs.
Jimoh's words, “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.”
The Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, in reference to the provision of the Constitution, maintained that “it is only in the animal kingdom that there are no rules and regulations,” pointing out that the Senate will outlive everyone; hence, the institution’s rules must be protected.
Furthermore, Senator Bassey Aniekun Etim lamented that he watched with disappointment on February 20, 2025, “the shouting, the screaming, so I agree with all the issues raised in the report.”
The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, pleaded for mercy and a mitigation option, stressing that his submission was a reflection of all PDP Senators in the National Assembly.
Moro recommended a three-month suspension, which he said was enough for the embattled lawmaker to realize her mistakes, pointing out that Nigerians were watching and seeing them as statesmen; hence, nothing should be done to bring disrepute to the chamber.
After listening to all the contributions from the dominant and minority parties, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said, “The Senator we are talking about is the wife of my very close friend and brother.
“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.”
Thereafter a voice vote was taken and Senator Akpabio approved the suspension.
Part of the resolutions include that she would surrender all National Assembly properties, her security details to be withdrawn, even as the Sergeant-at-Arms would seal her office immediately so, as to deny her access to it.
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