The Senate, on Thursday, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) over “total violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended”.

This followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions by its chairman, Neda Imaseun, during plenary.

In his presentation, Mr Imaseun recalled that on February 25, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC-Ekiti), the Complainant, rose on Order 1(b), Standing Orders of the Senate 2023 as amended, drew the attention of the Senate to an incident of February 20.

“The incident was when Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reallocation of her seat in the Senate chamber.

“Adaramodu felt that the outbursts by Akpoti-Uduaghan and the outcry by some sections of the public were uncalled for over the matter and urged the Senate to be guided by the Standing Orders in all things,” the senator said.

He also recalled that the Senate referred the motion to the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for detailed investigation and further legislative action.

Mr Imaseun also noted that the respondent, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, refused and opted not to attend the hearing despite notice by the committee.

He said: “Under Order 40 (7) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended which states that “Senate should not receive or deliberate on any matter to which actions are pending in any court of law.

“The petition of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, being a matter before a law court of competent jurisdiction, the committee, therefore, cannot deliberate on the petition.

“The committee noted that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan went to court to seek an interim order preventing the Senate and its committee from exercising its constitutional duties as enshrined in section 88 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended.

“The committee felt duty bound to exercise its constitutional functions,” Mr Imaseun said.

He said the committee considered the matter as revealed by Mr Adaramodu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, and Senator Titus Zam, chamber staff and the sergeant-at-arm.

“The committee recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules 2023 as Amended and for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Senate in general to public opprobrium.

“The Senate also approved that her salaries and allowances be suspended.

“For the period of her suspension, she is barred from representing herself to the public locally and internationally as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“For the Senate to consider lifting the suspension or reducing the tenure of suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before the reconsideration by the Senate,” he said.

In his contribution, minority leader Abba Moro said, “This institution is certainly the highest law-making institution in Nigeria, so the expectation of many Nigerians is that we must demonstrate the highest level of integrity, and it starts with doing our roles.

“Having said that, Mr President, from this side of the aisle, I want to plead that while implementing these recommendations, that the six-month punishment is reduced to three months.”

Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) said, “My advice is that the quality of a leader is tested when you are under severe provocation, how you manage it.

“Which is why I appreciate the way you have even admitted to more complaints as if nothing had gone wrong.

“Sometimes, in leadership, we face those temptations. I think that the committee if you follow the sequence, issues of discrimination cannot be proven.

“Akpoti-Uduaghan can’t claim victimisation. And I urge her to reflect deeply about tomorrow because she can do nothing about yesterday”.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said, “We have been taken to the floor. We have been dragged to the floor. I have a responsibility to look at the rules of the Senate. I don’t only interpret the rule.

“But the rule, which is an extension of the Nigerian Constitution, gives me the power under section 20 (H and I) that the Senate president shall be responsible for the observance of the rules of debates.

“He shall give rulings on points of order or constitution raised during debates. Above all, he is the only person to interpret the rules”.

(NAN)