In what may sound strange to the ordinary Nigerian citizen, the Senate has passed a vote of confidence on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, amid the sexual harassment accusation against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The senators today, unanimously took the decision noting that it doesn’t want to be distracted by the saga, and will leave the matter to the judiciary. The motion was moved by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Recall that following accusation by the senator representing Kogi central and her subsequent suspension, there has been several calls on the Senate. The Senate had also noted that Natasha’s suspension has nothing to do with her allegation against the Senate President but her misconduct and disobedience to its Standing Rules.
On this stand, Bamidele noted that the Senate has decided not to be distracted further but would rather channel such energy to focus on its mandate of lawmaking and oversight and allow the judiciary to adjudicate on all issues pending before it based on the actions or inactions of the red chamber on the matter.
Recall that when Natasha was submitting her petition against the Senate President, concerns were raised as to why submit a petition to the one being petitioned? Following her suspension, there were also concerns that she was denied justice.
Meanwhile, Senator had rejected the suspension pointing that it was calculated to deny her justice, she further filed a contempt charge against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
Through a notification issued by its Registrar in accordance with Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act of 2004, the court responded to her motion by warning the defendants of the repercussions of disobeying its order. According to the notification, they risk being imprisoned if they continue to disobey the order.
In order to prevent any disciplinary action that would violate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legislative privileges under the Nigerian Constitution, Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the court also ordered the defendants to provide justification for why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them. It also said that any action performed during the pending litigation would be deemed void.
Justice Egwuatu also permitted Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve court documents on the defendants through substituted means, such as delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly, pasting them at the National Assembly premises, or publishing them in two national newspapers.
The court’s jurisdiction was contested by Senate President Akpabio, who contended that the court lacked the power to meddle in Senate affairs.
