Nigerian senator suspended after accusing Godswill Akpabio of sexual abuse

Nigerian lawmakers have suspended a senator for six months, a day after she submitted a petition alleging she had been sexually harassed by the senate president.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan last Friday made the accusations against one of the country’s top politicians, Godswill Akpabio.

After dismissing her petition on procedural grounds, the ethics committee recommended Uduaghan’s suspension, saying she had brought ridicule to the chamber.

Some senators argued that her suspension be cut to three months but a majority voted to stick with the six months suspension recommended by the ethics committee.

Nearly a week since Uduaghan’s interview with Arise TV where she first made the accusations, the issue has dominated discussions across Nigeria.

Many highly placed people and groups have called for a transparent investigation.

On Wednesday, two groups of protesters gathered at the assembly ground in the capital, Abuja – one backing Akpabio and the other in support of his colleague, chanting ”Akpabio must go.”