- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months after the Senate Ethics Committee found her guilty of violations
- Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader, called for mercy, seeking to reduce the suspension from six months to three
- Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was escorted out of the Senate after expressing her displeasure with the ruling
During the plenary session on Thursday, March 6, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen, presented its findings and made seven recommendations regarding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The committee concluded that Akpoti-Uduaghan had violated Senate rules and failed to honour its invitation.
Senate lashes Senator Natasha with 7 recommendations
Senator Imasuen read out the committee’s recommendations, which included:
1. Suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months due to her violations, which had brought disrepute to the Senate.
2. A written apology from Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate would be required before any consideration of reducing or lifting the suspension.
3. Immediate suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan from all legislative activities, effective March 6, 2025.
4. Her office to be locked, and all Senate property in her possession handed over to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
5. A prohibition on Akpoti-Uduaghan, as well as her staff, from entering the Senate or National Assembly premises during her suspension.
6. Suspension of her salaries, allowances, and those of her legislative aides, and the withdrawal of her security details for the duration of the suspension.
7. A ban on her representing herself as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, both locally and internationally, during her suspension.
Senator Moro appeals for reduction of Natasha’s suspension
Senator Imasuen thanked the Senate for the opportunity to serve, saying, “On behalf of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, we appreciate the President and our distinguished colleagues for the opportunity granted upon us to serve Nigerians through this committee. Respectfully submitted for consideration and approval. Thank you, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues.”
Following a heated debate, all recommendations were adopted by voice vote, with a minor amendment to the sixth recommendation. It was agreed that Akpoti-Uduaghan's aides would still receive their salaries and allowances to prevent undue hardship.
After the report was adopted, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly interrupted the session, asserting that the injustice against her would not stand. She was then escorted out of the chamber.
In the aftermath of the report's presentation, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro appealed for the suspension to be reduced from six months to three months. While acknowledging that Akpoti-Uduaghan had violated Senate rules, Moro urged his colleagues to show mercy and temper justice.
Natasha vs Akpabio: Groups turn protests to wars over support for both senators
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Women in Akwa Ibom protested in defence of Akpabio, denouncing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations
Counter-protests in Abuja called for a fair investigation into Akpabio’s alleged misconduct.