The Senate has announced a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, effective from March 6, 2025, due to alleged misconduct and violations of the amended 2023 Senate rules.
This decision followed a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, which is chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen.
Presenting the committee’s findings to the Senate this morning, Senator Imasuen stated that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had failed to comply with Senate rules and had also ignored the committee’s request to appear before it.
In her report, Senator Imasuen read the committee’s recommendations, which include:
- The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for violating Senate standing rules and causing public embarrassment to the presiding officer and the entire Senate.
- The condition that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit a written apology to the Senate before any reconsideration of the suspension, including the possibility of a reduction in its duration.
- Her suspension, effective from March 6, 2025, barring her from all legislative activities.
- The closure of her office during the suspension period, with all Senate property in her possession to be handed over to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
- A ban on her and her staff from entering the Senate or National Assembly premises for the duration of the suspension.
- The suspension of her salaries and allowances, as well as those of her legislative aides, and the withdrawal of any security details assigned to her during the suspension.
- A prohibition on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from representing herself as a Senator, either locally or internationally, during her suspension.
After a lengthy debate, the Senate voted to adopt the recommendations with one minor amendment: Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s aides will still receive their salaries and allowances during her suspension to avoid undue hardship.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly interrupted the proceedings, stating that the injustice against her would not stand, before being escorted out of the chamber.