The Suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a Miscarriage of Justice – Fadojoe

By Jide Afolabi

The leader of the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, Mr. Faduri Joseph popularly known as Fadojoe has described the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate as a miscarriage of justice.

Fadojoe in a statement today, Friday, said that the decision to suspend the Senator for six months has ignited intense debate and raised concerns about the fairness of the decision.

The suspension, handed down by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, includes a ban from legislative activities, a written apology, and the locking of her office, among other penalties.

According to the statement, at the heart of the controversy is Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation of sexual harassment against Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio. Despite her petition, the Senate dismissed her claims, citing a technicality that a senator cannot submit a petition signed by themselves.

“This decision has sparked outrage, with many questioning the Senate’s handling of the matter.” The statement said.

Critics argue that the suspension is a miscarriage of justice, highlighting concerns about due process and the lack of investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations.

“The swift decision to suspend her has also raised questions about the Senate’s commitment to fairness and accountability.

The suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan has also raised concerns about women’s representation in Nigerian politics. Many argue that the decision sends a chilling message to women who dare to speak out against harassment and abuse.

The Movements leader asked some pertinent questions:

“The question to the Nigerian Senate is how does a man who has been accused now be the judge and presided over his own case? How did the Senate come to a conclusion within a few days without any form of committee reports? No investigation gets to a point of suspension and apology without basis for such? When would Nigerians start rejecting and protesting against bad policies and bad governance like the one just been done by the Nigerian senate? When did women become inferior in crying out fowl when something happened to them?”

“All these questions are what I asked myself and want all Nigerians to ponder upon before if we are going to continue to allow our politicians to do whatever they like and run our nation like a jungle.”

He stated further that in a democratic nation, when such allegations are levied against anyone, such a person must rescue themselves from such investigations, step aside and let others conduct the investigations and when reports are out then any disciplinary actions taken base on reports and recommendations.

“We cannot be practicing democracy and we are operating a jungle justice: one-sided judgment. We are quick to judge and jump to conclusions in our nation without due process. We are so quick to cast blame on innocents.

“Senate treatment of Senator Natasha is a disgrace to Nigeria as a nation and a shame on our politics and governance as no nation would take us seriously if that’s how we treat human beings, especially women in our nation.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into the case of Senator Natasha and prevail on Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from passing quick and baseless judgment on their colleague, without due process.

Fadojoe said that Nigerian lawmakers should not always jump to conclusions for political expediency, but following an adage that says, “Don’t be quick to judge”.

“Nigeria is the greatest nation in Africa, and we must show the lead in the way we treat human beings male and females alike. We must show the world that democracy can work in Africa with the way we showcase ourselves to the world and every little and big thing we do daily is a litmus test in our nation history to a stronger democracy in the future.” He concluded.

Fadojoe called for a more transparent and accountable investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations.