Nigerian Female Senator Suspended After Accusing Senate President of Sexual Assault

The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following her allegation of sexual assault against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The decision, made on Thursday, includes barring her from her office, withdrawing her allowances, and revoking her security access.

The Senate’s ethics committee, which reviewed the accusation, dismissed it on the grounds of procedural rule violations. Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four female senators in the 109-seat chamber, was prevented from speaking during the session and was escorted out of the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.

“This injustice will not be sustained,” she declared after her removal.

Akpabio has denied the allegations, while Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan should use her suspension to “learn the rules of the Senate.”

“I asked her what she will gain if she tries to pull the Senate President down,” Bamidele said during the debate on the ethics committee’s report.

The suspension has sparked widespread reactions, with critics questioning the committee’s handling of the case. Chioma Agwuegbo, Executive Director of TechHerNG, an organization advocating for women’s rights, criticized the ethics committee, stating, “The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for purpose.”

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Women’s rights activist Hadiza Ado also condemned the decision, calling it a setback for female representation in Nigerian politics. “Today is a sad day for Nigerian women fighting for emancipation. Out of 109 senators, only four are women, and now one is suspended,” she lamented.

The controversy has fueled discussions nationwide, with many calling for a transparent investigation. On Wednesday, two opposing protest groups gathered outside the National Assembly in Abuja—one supporting Akpabio and the other backing Akpoti-Uduaghan, chanting “Akpabio must go.”

Amid the fallout, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Akpabio, seeking N100 billion ($64,000) in damages. She has vowed to continue her “pursuit for justice” despite her suspension.

During her six-month suspension, she will be prohibited from accessing the National Assembly premises, and her office will remain locked.