INDEPENDENT NG
The Senate on Saturday clarified that contrary to reports making the rounds, it actually suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP; Kogi Central) for flagrant abuse of its standing orders.
A statement by the leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC; Ekiti Central), alleged that the viral misinforming reports in public space were “deliberate”, adding that the false narratives being circulated by certain media organisations.
The three-page statement said that contrary to the case of alleged victimisation arising from the embattled lawmaker`s accusation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, she was suspended due to “flagrant disobedience to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and her unparliamentary behaviour during its plenaries and proceedings.
“Contingent on the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with its sitting arrangement during the plenary.
The Senate upheld her suspension with a proviso that if Akpoti-Uduaghan “submits a written apology, the leadership of the chamber may consider lifting the suspension before the six-month period expires.”
Senator Bamidele further stated that Senator Akpoti-Uduagha, rather than submitting to the Authority of the Senate, she had been misinforming the unsuspecting public that she was suspended because she accused the senate president of sexual harassment.
This is as the statement clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition on sexual harassment failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.
“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment.
“This is completely untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts. If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving,” the statement said.
Specifically, the statement revealed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was “a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges,” part of the statement read.
The statement noted that the report found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and recommended her immediate suspension…
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