The embattled Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has pledged to challenge her six-month suspension in court, following a confrontational dispute with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the upper chamber. The decision has ignited far-flung castigation, and has been described by Victor Giwa – her legal counsel, as a direct breach of a court order restraining disciplinary actions against the senator.
Giwa further criticized the suspension as illegal and unenforceable, and also accused the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges of disregarding a valid judicial directive. He confirmed that legal proceedings were already in place and assured that the court would be duly notified of the Senate’s actions in defiance of the order. He also highlighted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case accentuate the superiority of the Nigerian Constitution which grants every citizen the right to seek redress when their civil rights are encroach upon.
The suspension, placed without pay, follows the Natasha’s public accusation that Akpabio had made sexual advances towards her. The matter was referred to the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, which found her guilty of breaching Senate Standing Orders and consequently recommended disciplinary measures. However, critics maintain that Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied a fair hearing with opposition parties and civil society organizations—like the Nigerian Bar Association—condemning the way Senate is handling the case.
The Senate adopted a seven-point resolution against Senator Natasha, including locking her office, barring her from the National Assembly premises and withdrawing her security details. Earlier on, her legislative aides were also slated to lose their salaries but following an intervention by Senator Orji Kalu, their remuneration was reinstated. Meanwhile, the upper chamber declined an earlier recommendation that she could return upon issuing an apology, instead insisting that she must serve the full six-month suspension before any reconsideration.
Her suspension has drawn criticism from notable figures including the former Vice President of Nigeria – Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate – Peter Obi. Furthermore, the Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad decried the process and argued that the decision appeared to be an act of intimidation and not a pursuit of justice anymore. She maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan deserved an opportunity to defend herself before disciplinary measures were taken.
Prominent legal expert Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) also criticized the Nigerian Senate’s actions by questioning why the matter was not left to the courts to decide. He noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan, being a lone female voice in a predominantly male Senate faced an intrinsic disadvantage in such a dispute.
Inspite of the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan has remained resolute and had vowed to fight what she described as an injustice. She refrained from speaking to journalists after being escorted out of the chamber by security personnel, but later reaffirmed her commitment to challenge the decision in court. Her petition against Akpabio initially submitted in her capacity as a senator was reintroduced on behalf of her constituents, ensuring the matter remains active.
The controversy has further deepened divisions within the Senate, with some lawmakers supporting the Ethics Committee’s findings while others caution against what they perceive as an excessive disciplinary response. As the legal battle unfolds, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension continues to fuel national discourse on gender dynamics, political power plays and the rule of law within Nigeria’s legislative system.
