Senate: Natasha not suspended over sexual harassment allegation

The Senate has debunked reports that the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was suspended over her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Rather, the Senate said the senator was suspended due to her disobedience to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele made the clarifications via a statement issued on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Bamidele stated that the clarification was necessary in view of what he called deliberate misinformation and false narratives being circulated in the country.

The Senate Leader noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan was also suspended because of her “unparliamentary behaviour” during Senate’s plenaries and proceedings.

The Senate had based Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension for six months on the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

The upper chamber suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan over her alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with the Senate’s sitting arrangement during the plenary.

The suspension was, however, with a provision that if the senator could submit a written apology, the leadership of the chamber might consider lifting the suspension before the expiration of the six-month period.

“Rather than submitting to the authority of the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan had been misinforming the unsuspecting public that she was suspended because she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment,” Bamidele said.

He stated that the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan was a response to her repeated violations of legislative decorum.

Bamidele added: “Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition on sexual harassment failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the senate.

“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment.

“This is completely untrue, misleading and a calculated attempt to distort the facts.

“If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the senate would have treated her petition based on merit, in line with its practice.

Natasha: My suspension unjust, I’ll continue to serve my constituents

“But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving.”

Bamidele said the senator’s suspension was the “decision of the Committee of the Whole of the Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”

The Senate Leader stated that the report found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) and recommended her immediate suspension.

He said: “As established in the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the disciplinary action was a response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated violations of legislative decorum stated as follows:

“Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25 in spite of multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and other ranking senators – an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.

“Speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer, in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on February 25.

“Engaging in unruly and disruptive behaviour, obstructing the orderly conduct of senate proceedings.

“Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.

“Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct.”

The Star