The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges has recommended six months suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over failure to appear before it to defend her allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The Committee’s recommendations were read out by the Senate President,on Thursday at the hallow chamber in Abuja.
TheFact Daily reports that the committee also advised that the Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti apologies to the Senate for “disrespecting the institution.”
Additionally, it recommended the withdrawal of her salary and security details during the suspension period.
The Committee recommended that Senator Natasha should not be seen anywhere around the National Assembly during her suspension period.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stems from a controversy surrounding her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The dispute began when Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, formally accused Akpabio of misconduct, submitting a petition before the Senate.
The petition was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a mandate to report back within four weeks.
This move follows a similar petition Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the previous day, which sparked controversy.
Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40, arguing that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife.
He also contended that the petition should not be considered since Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.
