My suspension is ‘illegal’, cannot stand the test of time says Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), has rejected her six-month suspension from the Senate, insisting that she remains a legitimate senator despite what she described as an “illegal” suspension”.

In a statement reacting to her suspension by the Senate of Nigeria, Akpoti-Uduaghan asserted that the suspension violates the principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity.

“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,” she lamented.

“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.”

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ValidViewNetwork had earlier reported the suspension of the Kogi Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over the sexual harassment allegation she made against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The suspension, reached during the plenary, came after a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions which stated as follows:

1. The senate panel recommends the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from all legislative activities effective March 6, 2025.
2. Her office should be locked, and she must hand over all senate properties in her possession to the clerk of the national assembly for the duration of the suspension.
3. Neither the senator nor her staff should be seen within the premises of the national assembly during the suspension period.
4. Her salaries, allowances, and those of her legislative aides should be suspended, along with the withdrawal of all security detail for the duration of the suspension.
5. She should be barred from representing herself locally or internationally as a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria during the suspension.
6. The senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions recommended a six-month suspension for the lawmaker representing Kogi central.

ValidViewNetwork reports that while the Senate claims that the suspension is in tandem with the extant rules of the Senate, the suspended Senator claims that the suspension is illegal and cannot stand the test of time.