The Senate has imposed a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for breaching the rules of the Red Chamber.
The suspension followed a dispute between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who she accused of sexual harassment, a claim he has denied.
Senate President Akpabio, while reading the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct that investigated her allegations, explained the decision.
“The Senate suspends Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended), for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public disrepute,” Akpabio said on Thursday.
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Despite some senators attempting to shorten the suspension to three months, the Senate upheld the original six-month suspension in a majority vote.
However, lawmakers agreed that the suspension could be reduced or lifted if she submits a written apology.
“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing its duration, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration,” Akpabio stated in the Red Chamber.
The Senate also agreed to continue paying the salaries of her aides, which contradicted the committee’s original recommendation. Senator Orji Kalu argued that the aides should not be penalized, as they were not responsible for the senator’s actions.
Following the suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms but declared, “This injustice will not be sustained” before leaving.
The suspension comes after weeks of controversy between the senator, Akpabio, and the Senate.
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The conflict began on February 20, 2025, over a seating arrangement dispute, which led to Akpoti-Uduaghan accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. She filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against him.
Although she submitted a petition on Wednesday, the Senate’s Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, led by Neda Imaseun, dismissed her claims, citing procedural errors and legal issues.
The committee stated that her personal signature on the petition made it invalid, as it should have been endorsed by someone else.
After this, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted her petition, but on the same day, the committee recommended her suspension, which was subsequently approved by the Senate.
The suspension included a recommendation to lock her office, bar her from the National Assembly, and halt both her salary and that of her legislative aides.
Last July, Akpabio had previously apologized to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for comments he made about her in a nightclub.
Below is the list of senators who are members of Senate’s Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions who endorsed Natasha’s suspension:
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