Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central will take legal action against her six-month suspension from the Senate.
The decision to suspend her came after a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, has described the suspension as unlawful, stating that it violates an existing court order.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges reviewed her case.
However, Giwa argued that the committee ignored a court order that barred it from proceeding with disciplinary actions.
He insisted that the suspension holds no legal weight and cannot be enforced.
He further stated that the court would be informed about the Senate’s defiance of its directive.
The controversy began when the senator accused the Senate President of making inappropriate advances toward her.
She raised these allegations during a television interview after their public dispute in the Senate chamber.
Her claims were then referred to the Ethics Committee, which later found her guilty of violating Senate rules.
The committee concluded that she had brought the Senate into disrepute and recommended her suspension.
The Senate, after reviewing the committee’s findings, endorsed a series of actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The suspension is effective March 6, 2025.
Her office will be locked for the duration of the suspension, and she must hand over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly. Additionally, she and her staff are prohibited from accessing the Senate or the National Assembly premises.
For the suspension period, her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, will be withheld, and all security details assigned to her will be withdrawn.
She is also barred from representing herself locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The committee suggested that if she formally apologizes to the Senate President, the suspension period could be reconsidered.
Without an apology, the full six-month suspension will stand.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, is determined to fight the decision, arguing that it is an attempt to silence her.
Her legal team plans to take further steps in court, with the case expected to come up in the next two weeks.
Her lawyer also pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to seek legal redress when rights are violated.
According to him, the suspension is not just a political decision but an infringement on her fundamental rights.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker has declared that the suspension will not stop her from carrying out her duties as a senator and serving her constituents.
She wrote on her Facebook page on Thursday night:
“Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming; my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.
“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 … and beyond.”
Both should have been suspended. Action one -sided
The suspension is unjust and cannot stand. The so called fellow woman who were supposed to stand and support their fellow woman on her own right are there saying otherwise. This is a wake up calls to all people in Kogi State to stand by Sen. Natasha’s unjust by the so called Senate President .