The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her accusation of sexual assault against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She faces a six-month suspension from office and a denial from the ethics committee regarding her claims. This incident highlights ongoing challenges related to women’s representation in Nigerian politics and the management of sexual misconduct allegations.
On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual assault. The Senate’s ethics committee proposed that she be barred from her office and stripped of her allowances and security for a duration of six months. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusation, made last week, was dismissed by the committee due to alleged procedural violations.
Following her suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan asserted, “This injustice will not be sustained,” expressing her frustration after being escorted from the chamber. Senate President Akpabio has denied any allegations of wrongdoing in response to her claims.
The representation of women in Nigeria’s parliament has significantly declined since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999, as reported by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre. While instances of sexual assault allegations are rare in Nigeria’s legislative body, there have been prior occurrences, such as the 2016 accusation against Senator Dino Melaye.
Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele commented that Akpoti-Uduaghan should utilize her suspension period to understand the Senate’s rules better. He questioned what she would achieve by attempting to undermine the Senate President during discussions regarding her suspension.
Critics like Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of TechHerNG, have condemned the ethics committee’s treatment of the case, alleging it is biased. Agwuegbo stated, “The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for purpose.”
In a legal response to the situation, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit seeking N100 billion ($64,000) in damages against Senate President Akpabio; however, she has not publicly commented further on her case.
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate in the wake of her sexual assault accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has sparked significant debate. The case exposes ongoing concerns regarding the representation of women in politics and the handling of allegations within legislative bodies. The reaction from both Senate leaders and critics emphasizes the complexities surrounding gender issues in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
