By Jane Okafor, Abuja
ABUJA: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has declared that her suspension for six months by the Senate was illegal.
And prior to leaving the Senate Chamber on Thursday after her colleagues slammed the suspension on her, which she described as an act of injustice, Natasha declared: “This injustice shall not be sustained.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan has shown an indication to challenge the six-month suspension in court which was slammed on her after a face-off with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over seating arrangements in the red chamber.
The indication came from. her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, dismissed the Senate resolution as a violation of a subsisting court order.
Giwa hinted that legal action would be taken against those responsible for violating the valid order from a competent court of jurisdiction.
He said, “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.
“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.”
Also, the Kogi Central Senator reacted to the suspension in a post she shared on on her Facebook page.
She said: “Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming; my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.
“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 and beyond.”
The Daily Crucible reports that the Nigerian Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, 2025, following allegations of violating Senate rules.
The suspension was based on the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions on Thursday.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while reading the committee’s recommendations, stated:
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended) for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium.”
Although there were attempts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate, through a majority vote, upheld the initial six-month decision slammed on her.
Other sanctions Imposed on Natasha:
Office Lockdown: Her Senate office will remain locked throughout the suspension period.
Salary and Allowance Freeze: She will not receive any salaries or allowances for the six-month duration.
Security Detail Withdrawal: All official security personnel attached to her will be withdrawn.
Ban from Official Representation: She is barred from representing the Senate or participating in any events within or outside Nigeria in an official capacity.
Prohibition from the National Assembly Complex: She is restricted from entering the National Assembly premises throughout the suspension period.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ordeal took a new dimension on 28 February 2025 after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his home in December 2023.
She recounted the built – up events leading to the incident, explaining that she was in Akwa Ibom along with her husband and close associates to attend Akpabio’s birthday celebration, which coincided with hers.
She claimed the visit began at Akpabio’s home in Ikot Ekpene before they moved to his residence in Uyo at around 8 PM. It was during this visit that she alleged the Senate President made inappropriate remarks and gestures towards her, including holding her hand as they toured Akpabio’s exquisite house while her husband followed from the rear.
The matter escalated, leading to court action and counter – action from both sides – all alleging defamation, and culminating in her suspension from the Senate on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
