Senate Committee Recommends Six-Month Suspension for Senator Natasha Over H@ra+sment Allegation Against Akpabio

The Senate Committee on Ethics has proposed a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her s+xu@l h@ra+sment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In its recommendations, presented on Thursday, the committee also urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to apologise to the Senate for “disrespecting the institution.” Additionally, it suggested withholding her salary and security details throughout the suspension period.

The controversy escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted the s+xu@l h@ra+sment petition against Akpabio—this time on behalf of her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu. After confirming there were no legal obstacles, Akpabio allowed her to formally present the petition at 12:38 PM during plenary. The matter was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a directive to report back within four weeks.

This development follows a previous petition Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a day earlier, which triggered heated debate. Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40, arguing that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife. He further contended that the petition should not have been considered since Akpoti-Uduaghan personally signed it.