The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has spoken out following her six-month suspension from the Senate, describing the decision as illegal and vowing to continue serving her constituents.
The Senate handed down the suspension on Thursday after the Ethics and Privileges Committee recommended disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The move comes in the wake of her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which arose after a heated exchange on February 20 over changes to the chamber’s seating arrangements.
Following the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected unwelcome advances from Akpabio.
Despite her suspension, the senator remains resolute. In a post on her verified Facebook page, she wrote: “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.”
Meanwhile, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has offered legal advice to help Akpoti-Uduaghan challenge the suspension.
In a post titled “Free Legal Advisory to Senator Natasha’s Lawyers,” Adeyanju outlined a potential path back to the Senate:
“Natasha should go back to court to claim that notwithstanding the interim 72hr injunction by the court against the committee on ethics and the senate, it still went ahead to sit and recommend her suspension which the senate accepted.
“The court will rule against the senate and return her to the chambers.
She will claim a moral victory against the SP and senate and return to resubmit her petition now signed by people from her senatorial district