The Senate on Thursday slapped a six-month suspension on the senator representing Kogi Central, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct in the senate chamber.
The senate also announced the suspension of her salary and allowances while all her security aides would be withdrawn during the suspension period.
The senate asked her to stay away from the vicinity of the national assembly for six months and banned her from parading herself as a senator throughout the period.
However, the senate said Akpoti-Uduaghan would be let off the hook before the expiration of the suspension period if she hands in a written apology.
The resolution of the senate was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the report of the senate committee on ethics, code of conduct and public petitions during plenary.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Neda Imasuen, presented the report which was signed by all 14 members of panel.
The senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio, announced the suspension after it was supported by a majority of senators during the plenary.
The controversy began on February 20 when Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to occupy her new seat because it was done without her consent and she believes the action violated her privileges.
The matter was subsequently referred to the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions.
Presenting the committee’s report, Imasuen explained that the committee had reviewed the petition against Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, taking into account the Nigerian Constitution, Senate standing rules, and principles of equity and justice.
He said both Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and chairman of the senate committee on media and publicity, Mr Yemi Adaramodu, were invited to present their positions.
However, while Adaramodu honoured the invitation, Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to appear, an act the committee considered disrespectful.
He noted that the committee also took testimonies from multiple individuals, including Benue North-west Senator, Titus Zam, a sergeant-at-arms, Mukthar Daudawa, and head of sergeant-at-arms, Etido Ekpo.
He said they all testified against Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan.
On the sexual harassment allegations leveled by the Kogi central senator against Akpabio, Imasuen maintained that his panel dismissed the petition on the grounds that it violated senate rules, as it was personally signed by her.
Following its findings, the committee recommended a six-month suspension for Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from March 6 (today) with additional penalties, including withdrawal of all her security aides.
Also on Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted another petition to the Senate on alleged sexual harassment by Akpabio.
She said the petition was signed by one of her constituents.
Akpabio asked whether the petition was subject to any litigation in court and received a negative response from Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The senate president, therefore, referred the petition to the senate committee on ethics, code of conduct and public petitions to report back in four weeks.
Recall that she yesterday submitted a similar petition but the Senate rejected it, saying it violated order 40(4) which bars a senator from submitting a petition signed by him or her.
Meanwhile, the senate warned the petitioner to stop violating the standing rules of the upper chamber.
The chief whip of the senate, Mr Mohammed Tahir Monguno, gave the warning after reporting to the Senate that Akpoti-Uduaghan had persistently violated the senate standing orders 55(1) by refusing to stand up anytime the Akpabio leads procession to commence the day’s plenary in clear
Monguno said Akpoti-Uduaghan could not hide under a session of the rules to air her opinions and at the same time disregard other provisions in the standing orders.
“Senator Natasha has been consistently and persistently in breach of this rule.
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
“If you are seeking refuge always under order 10, you cannot approbate and reprobate.
“We urge her to study the rules and comply in observance and not in breach,” Monguno said.
*With Premium Times and Punch reports
