Abuja high court prevents senate from instituting disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan

MOVES by the Nigerian senate to institute disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over sexual harassment allegations she made against senate president Godswill Akpabio have been put on hold by a federal high court order.

Last week, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Senator Akpabio had sexually harassed here and has subsequently been victimising her for rejecting his advances. Senator Akpabio has denied the allegations and his wife has filed a civil lawsuit against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.

In a further twist, the senate's ethics committee had begun investigations into the actions of the Kogi senator but yesterday, an Abuja high court ordered it to halt proceedings. An Abuja federal high court issued an interim order stopping the senate committee from continuing with its investigations and deliberations.

Yesterday, the court presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, gave the order following an ex parte application filed by counsels to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.  This ruling came as the committee was expected to impose an indefinite suspension on the senator and it now means that all proceedings are halted pending a further judicial review.

All these problems began on February 20 when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seat had been reassigned without prior notice. Interpreting this as an attempt to diminish her visibility and stifle her contributions, she refused to occupy the new seat.

Chief whip, Senator Tahir Monguno cited Senate rules to justify the reassignment, explaining that changes were necessary due to shifts in party affiliations among senators. Despite this, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stood her ground, leading to a heated exchange with senate president Senator Akpabio, who directed the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the seating arrangement.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later attributed the way she was treated to the personal altercations she had with Senator Akpabio over his sexual advances. Following the dispute, the Senate unanimously voted to refer Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for a disciplinary review.

This committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, was tasked with submitting its findings within two weeks. In response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a N100bn defamation lawsuit against Senator Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick.

Her suit alleged that a Facebook post authored by Mr Patrick, at Senator Akpabio’s behest, contained defamatory remarks about her, including comments on her legislative competence and personal appearance. This lawsuit seeks damages and a public apology, claiming the publication harmed her reputation and subjected her to public ridicule.

In an addition twist to the saga, men of the Nigeria Police Force had to disperse Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's supporters this morning as they attempted to access the National Assembly complex. They had gathered at the assembly gate as early as 8am, to protest the sitting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

However, police officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd, citing the need to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order. Following their dispersal, the protesters relocated to the Unity Fountain in Abuja to continue their demonstration.