Natasha Akpoti absent as senate probes seating arrangement fiasco

The senate has commenced its probe of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement.

On February 20, Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged the senate president in a heated debate after her seat was changed. 

She was thereafter referred to the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions.

On February 25, the senator representing Kogi central filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against the senate president. 

Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent as the committee, chaired by Neda Imaseun, a Labour Party (LP) senator, commenced hearing at 2pm. 

A federal high court in Abuja had restrained the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions from proceeding with the disciplinary hearing.

Yemi Adaramodu, the senate spokesperson, testified against Akpoti-Uduaghan during the panel’s sitting.

Titus Zam, chairman of the rules and business committee in the senate, and the sergeant-at-arms, also testified against Akpoti-Uduaghan. 

The panel closed its hearing around 4pm.