News
Akpabio’s Gate: Akande Accuses Senate Of ‘Ganging Up’ Against Sen. Natasha
…Nwaebonyi shields colleagues
Ex-presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, on Thursday, raised an alarm over what he described as attempts to muzzle the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Recall Akpoti-Uduaghan recently accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexually harassing her, a claim the latter has vehemently denied.
Weighing in on the issue during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Akande urged the Senate to stop what he described as gang up against the lawmaker.
“They need to stop all these images, meetings, and ganging up against this woman. That has to stop. The leadership of the Senate needs to show us that there is going to be a dispassionate consideration of her allegations,” he said.
“Once that is sorted, if you think that there is a need to punish her for violating the rules, it is the better way to handle it. This idea of all of the men coming out and brandishing the rules is not looking pretty at all.
“This woman has said to the whole world that she has been sexually harassed. We have to be careful, the Nigerian Senate has to be careful not to create an impression that we are trying to silence her.
“What we have been seen so far is a lot of men holding meetings, speaking out, coming to the media to run this woman down. It is a poor reflection on the Nigerian Senate.”
But Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi has defended the Red Chamber and claimed that her colleague Natasha was pursuing a personal interest.
“Senator Natasha is claiming sexual harassment because she lost the chairmanship of local content and not that she was harassed by Senator Akpabio or any other senator,” the lawmaker who represents Ebonyi North said on the same show.
He said, “Senator Natasha was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content which she felt she was comfortable with. But in the Senate, from time to time, committee leadership is changed; reshuffled and her committee was affected like every other chairmen.
“She was shifted to the Senate Committee on Diaspora which didn’t go down well with Senator Natasha.”
Amid the sexual harassment claims, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions on Wednesday dismissed Senator Natasha’s sexual harassment and abuse of office petition against Akpabio.
It declared the claims “dead on arrival,” and cited procedural violations and legal constraints.
Expectedly, the Senate finally suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following recommendations by its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions
Senator Natasha was suspended for a period of six (6) on Thursday after the recommendations of the committee were put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She was also asked not to be seen near the National Assembly (NASS); that her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension, and that she hands over all Senate’s properties in possession to the Clerk of the NASS.
Presenting the recommendation, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imaseun said:
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six (6) for her total violation of the Senate standing rules 2023 as amended, for bringing the presiding officer and the Senate in general to public opprobrium.
“That for the Senate to consider lifting the suspension, or to reduce the tenor of suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before the reconsideration by the Senate.
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from 6th March 2025 from all legislative activities forthwith.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senate is considering a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following findings from its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
According to the committee’s report, presented by its chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, the Kogi Central lawmaker was found guilty of violating Senate rules, prompting the recommendation for disciplinary action.
If the suspension takes effect on March 6, 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan will be barred from accessing the National Assembly complex, and her office will be sealed. Additionally, her salary and those of her legislative aides will be withheld. She will also be prohibited from representing Nigeria in any official capacity during the suspension.
The committee further suggested that she may submit a written apology, which could be reviewed to reconsider her suspension.
The Senate is expected to vote on the recommendations, a decision that could temporarily strip the senator of all legislative privileges.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has resubmitted her petition alleging sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, this time signed by her constituents.
During the plenary, Senator Natasha was asked whether the matter was already before any court of law, to which she insisted it was not.
Following protocol, she was directed to formally submit the petition, after which it was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for investigation.
The Ethics committee chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen has been given four weeks to conduct its probe and report back to the Senate.
This marks the second time the Kogi Central lawmaker has raised the allegations in the chamber following a previous petition that was dismissed on Wednesday, owing to procedural irregularities.
BREAKING! Senate finally suspends Senator Natasha
Akpabio’s Gate: Senate may suspend Natasha for six months
Akpabio’s gate: Senator Natasha resubmits petition against Akpabio
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News10 hours agoRamadan: HoR Minority Caucus counsels Muslim faithful to uphold tenets of Islam, pray for peace, unity
-
News1 hour agoAkpabio’s gate: Senator Natasha resubmits petition against Akpabio
-
News24 hours agoEx-immigration officer arrested for selling arms to bandits in FCT
-
News11 hours agoTRUTH! Ex-Gov Fayemi declares, Natasha never accused me of se3ual harassment
-
News10 hours agoBold action: Ikeja Electric disconnects power to Air Force Logistics base
-
Foreign11 hours agoDivided US Supreme Court stops Trump move to freeze $2bn in aid payments
-
News22 hours agoHow Nigeria Lost N120 Bn To Illegal Charter Operations-Report
-
News2 hours agoReps Set Up Special Committee to Investigate Use of Take-off Grants, Bailout Funds, Interventions