Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora/Non-Governmental Organisations.
This development was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday. He did not give any reason.
In her place, Akpabio named Senator Bassey Aniekun Etim (Akwa Ibom East).
The committee position had remained vacant since March, when the Senate controversially suspended the Kogi Central Senatorial District lawmaker for six months.
In March, it was
She had submitted the petition during the plenary session, citing Senate Rule 40, explaining that after addressing the alleged harassment on Arise TV, she decided to formally present the matter before the Senate.
The controversy originally stemmed from a dispute over Senate seating arrangements but escalated following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations.
Her husband, Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has since intervened in the dispute.
Akpoti-Uduaghan further claimed that Akpabio deliberately blocked her motions from being heard on the Senate floor because she had rejected his alleged advances.
SERAP, in a statement on Tuesday, described her suspension as a blatant violation of the Constitution and international obligations, urging the Senate leadership to set an example for the country by upholding the rule of law.
“Senate President, Godswill Akpabio must immediately obey court order and ensure a smooth return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate today or any other day of her choosing.
“She should never have been suspended in the first place. Her suspension is a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“The Senate leadership must immediately obey court order, reinstate Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and fully restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges.”
