Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to challenge her six-month suspension in court, following a face-off with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber.
Her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, condemned the Senate’s resolution, asserting that it violated an existing court order that restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from taking further disciplinary action.
In a statement made to journalists on Thursday, Giwa argued that the suspension was “void and illegal,” as it directly contravened the court order. He emphasized that the Senate’s actions made a mockery of the institution that is supposed to uphold the law, adding that without legal intervention, the suspension could have stood. Giwa revealed that the legal team intends to return to court in two weeks to pursue the matter.
The suspension stemmed from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, which were referred to the Senate’s Ethics Committee for review. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the committee recommended a six-month suspension after Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to attend the investigative hearing.
Several opposition parties and organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), criticized the Senate for not allowing Akpoti-Uduaghan a fair opportunity to present her complaint. The NBA questioned the procedural fairness of the suspension and suggested it may be an attempt to silence the Senator’s claims.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment complaint, which she resubmitted on behalf of her constituents, has sparked a broader debate on gender equality and fairness within the Senate. The Senate’s decision to suspend her without investigation has been widely criticized as unjust, with political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party leader Peter Obi calling for a fair hearing and reconsideration of the suspension.
In its resolution, the Senate imposed various penalties on Akpoti-Uduaghan, including the withdrawal of her salary and security details, as well as a prohibition on her representing herself as a senator during the suspension period. However, the suspension of her aides’ salaries was reversed following a suggestion from Senator Orji Kalu.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case has drawn significant attention, with calls for the Senate to uphold due process and for Akpoti-Uduaghan to be given an opportunity to prove her allegations in court.
