Senate Suspends Natasha For 6 Months, Cites Violation Of Standing Rules

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules. 

‘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’  Senate President  Barrister Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her sexual assault allegations. 

Though some senators intervened to get  the suspension period reduced  to three months, the Senate, in a majority vote, sustained the initial decision.

However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.

‘For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate’ Akpabio added.

The suspended senator’s aides were however spared as they will receive their salary, contrary to the recommendation of the committee.

‘The aides of Natasha are not Natasha’ Senator Orji Kalu  had noted while calling for an amendment to the sanctions. 

‘It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances’ he added

Following her suspension,  Natashha, who represents Kogi Central, was escorted out of the  parliament chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that  ‘this injustice would not be sustained’-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you