March 13, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Senate has told the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a United Nations forum, that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not over her sexual harassment allegation against its President, Godswill Akpabio.
Natasha was suspended for six months last Thursday over allegations of misconduct and violations of Senate rules. As part of the suspension, her salary has been withheld, her security details withdrawn, and she has been denied access to the National Assembly premises.
The suspended Senator, on Tuesday, told the IPU that she was being victimised and appealed for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable after she recalled her allegation of sexual harassment made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The IPU had said they would only take action after a response from the Nigerian Senate.
However, the Senate, in a letter to the IPU, has refuted the claim that the Kogi Central Senator was suspended for accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The letter was read by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, who is attending the event in an official capacity, representing Nigeria.
She maintained that procedures and necessary actions under the Senate rules were observed before Senator Natasha’s suspension.
Ogbara, however, demanded a comprehensive probe into the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha against Akpabio.
“Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation. At the same time, we must ensure that fairness is upheld for all individuals involved and justice is never pre-determined or one-sided”, she said.
Signed by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the letter reads in part: “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault.
“The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the six months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
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