Just in: Senate Committee wants Senator Natasha suspended for six months, apologise to Akpabio

Just in: Senate Committee wants Senator Natasha suspended for six months, apologise to Akpabio

The Senate Committee on Ethics has recommended that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan be suspended for six months over controversy around her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The committee on Thursday also advised that the Kogi Central senator should apologise to the Senate for disrespecting the institution.

It recommended the withdrawal of her salary and security details during the suspension period.

Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had through her constituents led by Zubairu Yakubu submitted another sexual harassment petition against Akpabio during plenary.

Akpabio directed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate at 12:38pm.

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.