Natasha: Senate denies manipulating suspension report, accuses Oshiomhole of mischief
The Senate has dismissed allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that signatures of some lawmakers were forged or improperly included in the report that recommended the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the claim as unfounded and a product of mischief.
The Senate has dismissed allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that signatures of some lawmakers were forged or improperly included in the report that recommended the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the claim as unfounded and a product of mischief.
The Senate Spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday, said the disciplinary action against the Kogi Central senator followed due process and was openly handled on the floor of the Senate.
Adaramodu said the Senate had clearly established that any lawmaker who violates its rules would face consequences, stressing that the matter involving Akpoti-Uduaghan was discussed publicly.
He said, “Senator Natasha was sanctioned for violating the Senate Rules. We made it clear that if anyone fails to abide by the rules, there will be consequences.
“The matter was openly tabled at plenary. Journalists were there, everybody was there, and the proceedings were conducted in the open. The issue was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
“When the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions submitted its report, Senator Natasha did not avail herself of the opportunity to appear before the committee, despite being invited. The Senate thereafter took a decision. The reasons for that decision were openly discussed and were not shrouded in secrecy.”
Reacting specifically to Oshiomhole’s allegation that three senators’ signatures on the report were forged, the Senate spokesman said the issue never arose during the proceedings.
“The issue of whether some people signed a document or did not sign a document simply did not arise. Furthermore, Senator Adams Oshiomhole is not an advocate for other senators.
“If any senator believed that an infraction had been committed against him or her, that senator would have raised the matter on the floor of the Senate,” he stated.
Adaramodu questioned why the allegation was being raised months after the matter had been concluded, describing it as an attempt to reopen a settled issue.
“This issue being raised now concerns an event that occurred about a year ago. Somebody is simply making it up now, and I think that smacks of mischief.”
He added that it was unlikely that any senator would accuse the Senate leadership of manipulating signatures to influence a legislative decision.
“I told the journalists who asked me about it that I do not believe any senator would allege that a colleague’s signature was forged by the leadership of the Senate in order to influence a Senate decision. It has never happened, it will not happen, and it cannot happen.”
Oshiomhole had on Monday alleged that the signatures of at least three senators were either forged or improperly attached to the report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.
The Edo North senator, who spoke during an interview on Africa Independent Television, claimed that some lawmakers whose names appeared on the document had privately told him they neither signed nor endorsed the recommendations.
He specifically mentioned Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, as one of those who raised concerns over the report.
The allegation has reopened debate over the controversial suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was sanctioned by the Senate in March 2025 following findings of alleged gross misconduct and unruly behaviour.
The suspension followed the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
The disciplinary action occurred amid a public dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she had accused of victimisation and other improprieties.
The Senate had, however, insisted that the suspension was based on alleged breaches of Senate rules and not her allegations against the Senate President.
The sanction included the withdrawal of her salary and allowances, closure of her National Assembly office, and restriction from accessing legislative premises during the suspension period.
The controversy was recently reignited after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the suspension as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.
Oshiomhole’s allegation has since added another layer to the debate, with fresh questions being raised over the integrity of the process that led to the suspension.
