Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been suspended for six months after he filed accusations against Senate Speaker Akpabio.
Nigerian senators have suspended female senators after accusing the chairman of sexual harassment.
Sen. Natasha Akpoti Uduagan will be banned from office from Thursday and will withdraw his allowances and security for six months after filing charges against Senate President Godeshir Akpabio, who denied allegations against him.
On Wednesday, the Senate Ethics Committee rejected Akpoti-uduaghan’s petition on alleged harassment, citing a violation of procedural rules. Her subsequent halt was justified for a previous debate that exploded in the Senate over changes in her seat arrangements.
In a TV interview on February 28, Akpoti-uduaghan was one of four women in the 109-seat Chamber of Commerce, claiming that in 2023 Akpabio had made undesirable sexual advances against her.
“This fraud will not be maintained,” she said after being blocked from speaking in the Senate on Thursday and escorted from the room by a sergeant.
Akpabio publicly denies fraud. “Since February 20th, I have been flooded with calls from various Nigerians. He spoke at the start of the plenary session on Wednesday and I would like to say that I never have sexually harassed Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan at once.”
*Letter to the Nigerian Senate*
The petition of Senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan must be independently investigated and openly debated at a hearing that the defendant is not a main side.
Two requests:
1.… pic.twitter.com/rdukdor7uu’s petition promptly appointed independent investigators
– March 6, 2025
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Nigeria’s North Central Kogi Central District, shared a statement on its Facebook page in response to the suspension.
“According to a culture of silence, intimidation and embarrassment of the victims. My unfair suspension from the Nigerian Senate has negated the principles of natural justice, equity and equity,” she said.
“The illegal suspension will not revoke my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I will continue to use my officially elected position until 2027 and beyond to make the most of my abilities.”
Ethics Committee: “Not suitable for your purpose”?
Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidel said Akpoti Udaghan should use her suspension to “learn Senate rules.”
“When I tried to pull the Senate President down, I asked her what she would get,” Bamidele said while considering the Senator’s petition.
Critics like Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of women’s rights group Techherng, have denounced the ethics committee’s handling of the lawsuit and argued bias.
“The ethics committee on which her petition was introduced shows that it is not suitable for purpose,” Aguwegbo said.
Many prominent Nigerian figures and groups are seeking transparent research. Many women have also expressed anger over their social media expulsion, and some have called it “oppression.”
Two groups of protesters gathered at the National Assembly of Abuja on Wednesday. One supported Akpabio, the other supported Akpoti Uduagan, chanting “Akpabio must go.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against the Senate president, seeking damages of 100 billion naira ($64,000).
Although rare in Nigerian parliament, this is not the first time an incident has appeared involving sexual harassment and assault. Sen. Dino Melaye was accused of threatening to sexually assault Sen. Remi Tinubu, the current first lady, to sexually assault, but was not charged.
