Natasha resubmits sexual harassment petition against Akpabio
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Natasha, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs resubmitted the petition during Thursday plenary, after her earlier petition was rejected by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.
Speaking during the presentation, the Kogi lawmaker said the newly submitted petition was filed by her constituents, led by one Zubairu Yakubu.
Following the presentation, Senate President Akpabio inquired whether there were any legal impediments to accepting the petition and she responded that there were none.
READ ALSO: Senate suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months
Thereafter, the Senate President instructed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate and was subsequently referred to the Ethics committee led by Senator Neda Imasuen, with a directive to report back to the plenary within four weeks after legislative review.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan had presented a petition of sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio during Wednesday plenary, which sparked controversy.
The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40.
He argued that the matter could not be entertained or referred to the Ethics Committee, as it was sub-judice due to an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.
Monguno also contended that the petition could not be considered since Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.
As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”
Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) for six months for flouting Senate rules.
As part of her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan is barred from all Senate activities, prohibited from entering the National Assembly premises, denied her salaries and allowances, locked out of her office for the duration of the suspension and stripped of security personnel assigned to her.
However, following a motion by former Chief Whip Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), the Senate resolved that her legislative aides would continue receiving their salaries, as they had committed no offence.
The Senate also ruled that if Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology during the suspension period, she may be reinstated.
