CONFUSION: Senate Move to Invite a Suspended Senator who is Barred from NASS Complex, to Appear before Ethics Committee
The Nigerian 10th Senate appears to be making mockery of itself as it moves to invite a suspended Senator who is barred from NASS complex to appear before the Ethics and Privileges Committee, alongside the Senate President Godswill Akpabio for investigation on the same petition that the senate earlier declared “dead on arrival”.
It will be recalled that against a court order restraining the conducts of the Ethics Committee, the Nigerian Senate on the 6th of March 2025, in less 24hours of investigation, pronounced the suspension of one it’s members, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central senatorial district. Not only was Senator Natasha denied fair hearing or any appearance before the Ethics Committee, her petition against the Senate President was hastily thrown out and termed “dead on arrival” by the Neda Imasuen-led disciplinary team.
All efforts to present her side of the story was thwarted by Akpabio and his men who appeared obviously to have predetermined issues even before the overnight investigation. Senator Natasha was suspended with several severe prayers which include her being barred from going close to the National Assembly Complex, including her staffs. Her allowances are stopped for the period of 6months of her suspension; her security details withdrawn; all National Assembly items in her possession to be retrieved; her office locked and sealed; and that she should not parade herself both locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senator Natasha headed to Court to challenge what many Nigerians have described as using a sledge hammer to kill a fly – suspending an elected Senator for 6months with all the above punishments only for an alleged breach of rules. To further seek justice, Senator Natasha proceeded to tender her case before the United Nations’ Women Parliamentarians Session held in the New York. Natasha’s unexpected moves to the UN seems to have triggered the Senate to reconsider some of its erroneous steps taken out of contempt.
In a swift u-turn, the senate has come out to say that it will be inviting Senator Natasha and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio to appear before the Ethics Committee for investigation over the alleged sexual harassment against the presiding officer of the senate. This is coming few hours after some Senators and members of the Ethics committee have denied that their signatures were misrepresented for suspension report instead of attendance register of the committee’s proceedings. The members equally expressed their disappointment in the hurriedly conducted exercise and that they were never allowed to read, review and approve the report before it was taken to the chambers.
Many Nigerians have come out to question the sudden change of attitude of the Senate in the heat of the suspension. Could this be a case of putting the cart before the horse? In the last sitting of the senate, Akpabio had repeatedly emphasized on the window of apology they have reserved for the suspended Senator Natasha and was urging that she take advantage of that so they can resolve the matter. Why is Akpabio more interested in apology than trial as a presiding officer who wills at will?
Some Nigerians have also questioned the rationale behind the senate calling for probe of a petition they already declared “dead on arrival”? More so, can a suspended senator who is barred from coming to close to National Assembly still make her way to the same complex for a function while the suspension is still on? In what capacity will she appear since she is not to parade herself as a member of the Senate? Or will the senate be forced to review the terms of the suspension? Remember, senator Natasha going to the NASS complex is another outright breach of rule unless the suspension is lifted.
Further questions have asked; what will be the fate of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio who is the accused and to stand trial in the matter? Will he remain the presiding officer to oversee and judge his own case or step aside to pave way for a transparent investigation? The senate had earlier claimed that the petition bothers on subject that is already before the court and so they could not entertain it, has the subject of the petition been withdrawn from court after the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan? A lot needs to be clarified by the Senate.
Again, considering Senator Neda Imasuen’s disbarment for fraud case, is he still found competent or qualified to head the Ethics Committee that is supposed to discipline or sanction conduct and misconduct under the apex law making body in Nigeria?
While the senate is expected to answers these questions and clarify issues to Nigerians, it is important to note at this point that their actions were taken out of contempt and it may take only a regret to retrace their already taken steps.
