Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Nigerian Senate after accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual assault. The ethics committee dismissed her claims, citing procedural violations. Critics have condemned the committee’s actions, while Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Akpabio for damages, marking a significant moment in Nigeria’s political landscape regarding women’s representation and rights.
The Nigerian Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for sexual assault. This suspension entails barring her from office and withholding her allowances and security for six months, instigated by the Senate’s ethics committee’s recommendation. The committee rejected her accusation, citing violations of procedural rules.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her defiance against the suspension, asserting, “This injustice will not be sustained,” after being removed from the chamber. President Akpabio has denied any wrongdoing related to the allegation.
The representation of women in Nigeria’s parliament has diminished to a historical low since the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999. This incident is not isolated, as past occurrences of sexual assault claims have surfaced in the Nigerian Senate, such as the 2016 allegation against Senator Dino Melaye.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the majority leader, suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan should utilize her suspension period to familiarize herself with Senate rules. He questioned the motives behind her actions, stating, “I asked her what she will gain if she tries to pull the senate president down.”
Critics have expressed discontent with the ethics committee’s decision, with Chioma Agwuegbo, the executive director of TechHerNG, arguing that the committee failed to fulfill its obligations. Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated a lawsuit against Akpabio, claiming N100 billion ($64,000) in damages but did not provide a comment when approached by the media.
In summary, the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate raises significant issues regarding the treatment of sexual assault allegations within parliamentary proceedings. The declining representation of women in government, coupled with the ethics committee’s controversial actions, highlights a systemic problem that requires urgent attention and reform. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal response underscores her determination to seek justice amid these challenges.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
