Senate President Godswill Akpabio has clashed with his predecessor, Senator Ahmad Lawan over the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The duo clashed on Thursday after the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate, for alleged infractions of the Chamber’s rules.
Senator Lawan, who vacated the position in 2023 for Akpabio had contended during yesterday’s Plenary, when Senator Akpot-Uduaghan suspension was being debated, contended that it was wrong for the senate to withdraw her security due to her suspension.
According to Lawan, the Senate had no powers to order the withdrawal of the embattled senator’s security, saying she remains a member of the Senate despite her suspension, but Akpabio countered him insisting that she cannot enjoy the benefit of being a Senator when she is under suspension .
The magazine reported that the embattled lawmaker was suspended for six months, on Thursday, following the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges which investigated allegation of misconduct against her.
Announcing her suspension yesterday, Akpabio said Akpoti- Uduaghan’s salary has been suspended for the period of the suspension, apart from ordering her to stop parading herself as a senator of the Federal republic.
The suspension which has attracted criticisms from not a few Nigerians, also included the immediate suspension of the embattled senator’s security, who has been ordered to stay away from the precinct of the National Assembly during the period.
The suspension, the magazine reports followed the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges which probed her for alleged misconduct during plenary by violating the Senate Standing Orders.
The Senator Neda Imasuen-led committee had made a seven -point recommendation ot eh Senate after sittig for two days, even though Senator Akpoti-uduaghan refused to attend their sitting.
The seven-point Senate recommendation read by Imasuen included, “One, that the Senate does suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of Senate standing rules, bringing the presiding officer and the entire Senate to public opprobrium.
“Two, that for the Senate to consider lifting or reducing the duration of the suspension, Senator Natasha Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before reconsideration.
“Three, that the Senate suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from March 6, 2025, from all legislative activities.
“Four, that her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension and that she hands over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“Five, that for the duration of her suspension, she must not be seen within the vicinity of the Senate or the National Assembly, including her staff.
“Six, that her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, be suspended, and that all security details assigned to her be withdrawn for the period of her suspension.
“Seven, that during her suspension, she be barred from representing herself locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the embattled senator has headed to the court to challenge her suspension by the red Chamber, according to checks by the magazine.
Recall that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier instituted a N150 billion suit against the Senate President and one of his aides, for alleged defamation of character on the same issue.
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This can oThe same man accused of sexual harassment is the same person reading out his accuser’s verdict.
Besides, the senate has long been stripped of the powers to suspend an elected senator because s/he is not a staff to the senate.
Theatre of the absurd, that’s another name for Nigeria!