In a recent development in Abuja, Nigeria, the Senate has suspended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual assault. As recommended by the Senate’s ethics committee, she faces suspension from her senatorial duties, which includes withdrawal from her office, alongside her allowances and security details being revoked for a period of six months. Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of the few women serving in the 109-member legislative body, made her claims last week; however, the ethics committee dismissed her allegations, citing breaches of procedural rules.
In response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her displeasure, stating, “This injustice will not be sustained,” after she was barred from speaking further and escorted from the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms. Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has denied any involvement in the alleged misconduct.
The representation of women in Nigeria’s parliament is at a critically low level, marking a decline since the nation’s shift to democratic governance in 1999. The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, which champions democratic governance in Nigeria, has noted this decrease. Despite being a rare occurrence, this is not the first time allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced within the legislature. Notably, in 2016, Sen. Dino Melaye was accused of making threats of sexual assault against Sen. Remi Tinubu, the current first lady of Nigeria, though no charges followed.
The Senate majority leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, voiced that Akpoti-Uduaghan should use her suspension period to familiarize herself with Senate rules. During the Senate floor discussions concerning the ethics committee’s report, he remarked, “I asked her what she will gain if she tries to pull the senate president down.”
Critics, including Chioma Agwuegbo, the executive director at TechHerNG, an organization advocating for women’s rights, has criticized the ethics committee’s approach to the case. Allegations of bias were made, with Agwuegbo criticizing the committee as “not fit for purpose.” In the wake of these events, Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated a lawsuit against the Senate President, demanding N100 billion ($64,000) in damages. She was not available for further comments at this time.
