The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representating the good people of Kogi Central for six months, following a breach of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended).
The decision, upheld by a majority vote on Thursday, stemmed from recommendations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which investigated her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Reading the committee’s report, Akpabio 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.” Despite pleas from some senators to reduce the suspension to three months, the chamber upheld the initial six-month penalty.
The suspension, however, comes with a proviso. Akpabio added: “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.” Following the ruling, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the Red Chambers by the Sergeant-at-Arms. Defiant, she declared, “This injustice would not be sustained,” as she exited.
The controversy erupted on February 20, 2025, sparked by a dispute over seating arrangements between Senator Natasha and Akpabio. This escalated into serious allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of office leveled against the Senate President. Senator Natasha subsequently submitted a petition to the Senate, but it was dismissed by the Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South). The committee deemed her petition “dead on arrival” due to procedural flaws, noting that she had personally signed it instead of securing an endorsement, rendering it “invalid.”
Undeterred, Senator Natasha re-submitted her petition the following day. However, the Imasuen-led committee swiftly recommended her suspension for violating Senate rules, a decision ratified by the Red Chambers. Beyond the six-month suspension, the committee proposed additional measures, including locking her office, barring her from the National Assembly premises, and halting her salary and that of her legislative aides during the period.
The suspension marks the climax of weeks of tense exchanges between Senator Natasha, Akpabio, and the Senate, spotlighting issues of conduct and due process in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.