Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a contempt suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others over her six-month suspension without pay from the Senate.
The contempt charge, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, also names the Clerk of the National Assembly and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as defendants.
This action follows a court ruling on March 4, which restrained the Senate Committee from investigating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct during a Senate plenary session on February 20.
Despite the court order, the Senate proceeded to suspend the senator on March 6.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argues that her suspension constitutes “wilful disobedience” of the court order, which was duly served on the defendants.
The court has warned that defying the order renders Akpabio, Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly liable for contempt of court, potentially resulting in imprisonment.
Senate Defends Suspension
The Senate has defended its decision, stating that the suspension was for “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour,” not for allegations of sexual harassment.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, clarified that the issue before the Senate was related to a motion referred to the Ethics Committee, not sexual harassment.
He emphasized that the Senate acted according to its rules and the Constitution, which grants it the power to regulate its own procedure, including suspensions.
The Senate also accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating Senate rules by refusing to sit in her assigned seat, engaging in disruptive behaviour, and defying summons from the Ethics Committee.
International Intervention and Counter-Claims
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her dispute by presenting her case at a United Nations forum, alleging political victimization and sexual harassment.
The Senate countered these claims, stating that the suspension was solely for misconduct.
Senator Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, calling for an “impartial and transparent investigation.”
Senator Solomon Adeola criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating she violated Senate rules and did not exhaust internal mechanisms to address her grievances.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan also distanced himself from claims he supported Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations.
Protests at UN Office in Abuja
Protesters under the aegis of Women for Change Vanguard took the lingering face-off between Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Kogi lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to the United Nations office in Abuja on Friday.
Chanting solidarity songs and displaying several banners that read ‘We believe in actual victims of sexual harassment, not people who weaponise it’ and ‘The burden of proof lies with the accuser”, the protesters challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide evidence of the alleged sexual harassment she accused Akpabio of.
Addressing the representatives of the United Nations in Abuja, the leader of the protesters, Irene Umoh, explained that the women’s group decided to petition the UN on Friday following the manner in which Akpoti-Uduaghan has been trying to play the victim on the international stage.
Umoh also charged the global organisation to ask the suspended legislator to provide the world with credible evidence of the alleged sexual harassment.
She said, “This is not the first time Senator Natasha has made serious allegations against a prominent figure. Such actions risk becoming a weapon she wields against men in power, undermining the core principles of our fight against sexual violence.
“As mothers and members of the Women for Change Vanguard, we are acutely aware of the implications of false accusations. Such claims not only harm the accused but also diminish the experiences of genuine survivors.
“We call on Senator Natasha to provide concrete evidence of her claims against Senator Godswill Akpabio. Should credible evidence be presented, we will stand firm in our commitment to ensuring that justice is served.”
According to her, if every allegation of sexual harassment against the opposite gender is allowed to stand without credible evidence, many women will start weaponizing it against innocent men.
“Our peaceful protest today is not merely about demanding justice, it is also about holding both parties accountable. Senator Akpabio must have the opportunity to clear his name, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must evidence that she was sexually abused.
“As women, we must not be perceived as weak. Instead, we must embody strength and resilience, particularly in the workplace and beyond,” she stated.
Receiving the petition from the protesting women, the UN Senior Human Rights Advisor, Adwoa Kufuor promised to channel their grievances to the right quarters in the organisation.
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