Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, even as the Senate Ethics Committee recommended a six-month suspension for her.
During plenary on Thursday, March 6, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan presented the petition on behalf of her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu.
Following her submission, Senate President Akpabio questioned whether there were any legal obstacles to accepting the petition.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan asserted there were none. At 12:38 PM, Akpabio instructed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate.
The matter was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a directive to report back within four weeks.
This move follows a similar petition submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan the previous day, which was dismissed after Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) cited Senate Standing Order 40, arguing that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.
Monguno also contended that the petition could not be considered since Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it, leading the Ethics Committee to declare it “dead on arrival.”
Meanwhile, the Senate Ethics Committee has recommended a six-month suspension for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, effective from March 6, 2025.
According to Committee Chairman Senator Neda Imasuen, the suspension includes the closure of her office, denial of access to the National Assembly premises and the withdrawal of her salaries and those of her legislative aides.
The committee also recommended barring her from representing Nigeria in any official capacity during the suspension.
However, it suggested that she may submit a written apology for the Senate to review her suspension.
The Senate is set to vote on the recommendation, and if upheld, Akpoti-Uduaghan will be stripped of all legislative privileges for the duration of her suspension.
The Senate also advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to respect and obey legislative rules.
Relying on Order 55(1), Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno criticised her for allegedly disregarding Senate protocol by refusing to stand when Akpabio entered the chamber on Wednesday and Thursday.
“It is the Rules and Order of the Senate that when the Senate President is ushered into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms, all senators must stand up,” Monguno said.
He urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to abide by the rules, insisting that the institution must be protected at all costs.
The latest developments add to the ongoing tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio.
Just last Thursday, February 29, 2025, a heated confrontation occurred in the Senate chamber after Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio.
She arrived at the session to find her nameplate removed and her seat reassigned, prompting her to demand an explanation for what she saw as an unjustified move.
