The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her sexual assault accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, an allegation that was dismissed by the ethics committee due to procedural violations. Critics criticize the committee’s decision, and Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit seeking damages. The incident raises concerns regarding the representation of women in Nigerian politics.
The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused the Senate’s presiding officer, President Godswill Akpabio, of sexual assault. This suspension will prevent her from accessing her office, and her allowances and security provisions will be halted for six months as per recommendations from the Senate’s ethics committee.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusation, made last week, was dismissed by the ethics committee, which cited violations of procedural rules. After her suspension, she stated, “This injustice will not be sustained,” after being removed from the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms, as she attempted to speak against the decision.
Senate President Akpabio has denied the allegations of misconduct. The representation of women in Nigeria’s parliament is at an historical low since the nation transitioned to democracy in 1999, according to the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre.
Although such accusations are infrequent in Nigeria’s legislative body, there have been previous incidents, including a 2016 accusation against Senator Dino Melaye, who allegedly threatened Senator Remi Tinubu with sexual assault, but faced no charges.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate majority leader, suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan use her suspension to “learn the rules of the senate,” questioning her motives for targeting the senate president. Meanwhile, critics like Chioma Agwuegbo of TechHerNG have responded with outrage, arguing that the ethics committee is unfit to handle such matters.
In light of the ongoing situation, Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated a lawsuit against Akpabio, seeking damages of N100 billion ($64,000). She has yet to respond to requests for comments on the matter.
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate following her accusation of sexual assault against Senate President Godswill Akpabio raises significant concerns about the treatment of women in Nigerian politics. The ethics committee’s dismissal of her claims, coupled with the low representation of women in parliament and criticism of the Senate’s handling of the case, highlights systemic issues within the legislative framework. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s subsequent legal action suggests a refusal to accept what she perceives as injustice. The outcome of this situation may prompt further discourse on the need for reforms in governance and the protection of women’s rights.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
