Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has vowed to challenge in court the six-month suspension imposed on her following her altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the red chamber.
Her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, dismissed the Senate’s resolution as a violation of a court order.
Speaking on Thursday after the Kogi lawmaker was suspended and escorted out of the National Assembly complex, Giwa insisted that the decision was unlawful.
The Nigerian Bar Association and opposition parties also criticised the Senate for not allowing Akpoti-Uduaghan sufficient time to present her sexual harassment complaint against Akpabio.
Giwa stated that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges disregarded a court order restraining it from taking further action on the matter pending the determination of a motion on notice.
“The suspension is void, it cannot even take any effect. The suspension is illegal because there is a court order that restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from taking further action.
‘’The committee disobeyed a valid court order that was served on them, making a mockery of the chamber that is supposed to uphold the law,” Giwa said.
He argued that if Akpoti-Uduaghan had not sought legal intervention, the suspension might have been upheld.
The lawyer also expressed confidence that the court order explicitly directing the Senate to halt disciplinary actions rendered the suspension null and void.
Giwa further revealed that legal action would be taken against those responsible for violating the court’s directive.
“We are going back to court. The case is coming up in about two weeks, and we will inform the court that despite being served, including the Senate President, they still acted in violation of the order by suspending the plaintiff,” he stated.
When asked about potential plans to escalate the matter to international organizations, Giwa responded, “For now, we are handling it locally. But, of course, the world is watching. The Senate must adhere to international best practices, which dictate that once a case is in court, no further action should be taken on it.”
He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution supersedes the Senate Standing Orders, affirming every citizen’s right to seek redress in court when their civil rights are violated.
“Section 6, subsection 6 of the Constitution grants every citizen the right to seek redress when their civil rights are violated. Senator Natasha has done exactly that. Her suspension is an attempt to silence her for alleging wrongdoing against the Senate President, which amounts to a breach of her right to a fair hearing,” he added.
The Senate imposed a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan without pay, citing a breach of its Standing Orders after her allegation of sexual harassment against Akpabio, an accusation he denied.
During an earlier interview on February 28, the Kogi senator, who had recently clashed with Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Senate, accused him of making sexual advances toward her.
Her complaint was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which later recommended her suspension.
The Senate adopted the committee’s report during plenary on Thursday.
Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Committee, presented the report, which was signed by all 14 members. It contained seven recommendations against Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that she was found guilty of all allegations as she did not attend the investigative hearing to defend herself.
The recommendations included that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension could only be reconsidered if she issued a formal apology to the Senate President for her conduct during the previous week’s plenary session.
As part of the suspension, her salary and security details were to be withdrawn, and her office locked. However, her legislative aides would continue receiving their remuneration throughout the period.
The Senate, however, rejected the committee’s recommendation that an apology could lead to a reduction in suspension, stating that such would only be considered after the six-month period.
The seven-point recommendations read:
“One, that the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of Senate standing rules, bringing the presiding officer and the entire Senate to public opprobrium.
“Two, that for the Senate to consider lifting or reducing the duration of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before reconsideration.
‘’Three, that the Senate suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from March 6, 2025, from all legislative activities.
“Four, that her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension and that she hands over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“Five, that for the duration of her suspension, she must not be seen within the vicinity of the Senate or the National Assembly, including her staff.
“Six, that her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, be suspended, and that all security details assigned to her be withdrawn for the period of her suspension.
“Seven, that during her suspension, she be barred from representing herself locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Several senators, including the Chief Whip, Minority Leader, and others, commended the committee’s work and called for strict enforcement of the sanctions to maintain parliamentary discipline.
However, Senator Orji Kalu opposed punishing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s aides, arguing, “We cannot punish the aides of Senator Natasha for an offence they did not commit. They are staff of the National Assembly and they have no other farm or means of livelihood apart from the salaries they earn from the Senate.”
Following this, the Senate agreed to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan’s aides to receive their salaries during her suspension.
After the report was adopted, Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly interrupted proceedings, declaring, “This injustice against me will not be sustained. I will fight against it.”
She was then escorted out of the chamber by security personnel and declined to speak with journalists as she left the premises.
Before her suspension, she had resubmitted her sexual harassment petition against Akpabio on behalf of her constituents, which was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics for review within four weeks.
Meanwhile, Akpabio stated that he stayed at the Dangote Cement Factory in Obajana, Kogi State, on the night of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s wedding to Emmanuel Uduaghan, adding, “The person we are talking about here is the wife of my very good friend, or so I thought.”
He emphasized his role as Senate President in upholding Senate rules, stating, “The rules give me the power to give a ruling on points of order. I’m in the best position to interpret the rules of the Senate.”
Other senators, including the Senate Leader and Senator Sunday Karimi, also weighed in, with Karimi apologizing to Akpabio for previously supporting Akpoti-Uduaghan for a leadership role.
The suspension has sparked widespread reactions, with the NBA, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi criticizing the Senate’s decision.
NBA Women Forum Chairperson Huwaila Muhammad questioned the fairness of the process, emphasizing the need for due process and a fair hearing.
Legal experts, including Professor Itsey Sagay and senior lawyers, argued that since the matter was in court, it should have been left for the judiciary to resolve rather than taking legislative action.
Atiku, through his media adviser Paul Ibe, expressed concern over the Senate’s treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating, “Any society that does not optimally use the assets available to it, particularly by giving women the opportunity to thrive, is failing.”
