Nigerian Senate Suspends Female Senator Over Sexual Assault Accusation

The Nigerian Senate has suspended female senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual assault. The ethics committee rejected her claims due to procedural violations. Critics have condemned the committee’s actions, while Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a lawsuit seeking damages. The situation emphasizes the challenges faced by women in Nigerian politics.

The Nigerian Senate has enacted a six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual assault. This decision, resulting from a recommendation by the Senate’s ethics committee, includes barring her from her office and suspending her allowances and security.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four female members in the 109-seat Senate, faced rejection of her claim by the ethics committee, which cited procedural violations. In response, she remarked, “This injustice will not be sustained,” after being escorted out of the chamber without an opportunity to speak.

Senate President Akpabio has categorically denied any allegations of misconduct. The number of women in Nigeria’s Parliament has notably decreased since the country reinstated democratic governance in 1999, according to the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre.

While incidents of sexual assault within the Nigerian Parliament are uncommon, they are not unprecedented. In 2016, Senator Dino Melaye faced accusations of threatening Senator Remi Tinubu with sexual assault, though no charges were filed.

Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele suggested that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan utilize her suspension to better understand parliamentary rules, stating, “I asked her what she will gain if she tries to pull the senate president down.”

Critics have expressed their disapproval of the ethics committee’s process. Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of TechHerNG, indicated bias in the committee’s actions, asserting, “The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for purpose.”

In a legal response, Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated a lawsuit against the senate president, seeking damages of N100 billion ($64,000).

In conclusion, the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate following her sexual assault accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio raises significant concerns regarding the treatment of women in parliamentary roles. The ethics committee’s dismissal of her claim and the subsequent reactions highlight the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Nigerian politics. This incident reflects broader societal issues pertaining to women’s rights and the necessity for procedural justice in such allegations.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com