Senate illegally suspended me over sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio: Natasha Akpoti
The embattled senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to continue to serve her constituents despite her suspension from the Red Chamber.
The Senate, on Thursday, suspended Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan over “total violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended.”
“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,” Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan said in a statement on Thursday.
The lawmaker was barred from all legislative activities for six months following her sexual harassment allegations levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In its report on Thursday, the Senate Committee on Ethics established that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan violated the rule of the upper chamber in a change-of-seat controversy that ensued during a plenary two weeks ago.
Despite acknowledging her petition against Mr Akpabio, the Senate voted to suspend the female lawmaker, close her office and withhold her salaries.
“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,” said Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan.
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