The Senate has strongly rejected allegations by Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, that some lawmakers’ signatures were forged or improperly attached to the report that recommended the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Describing the claim as “mischievous” and lacking any factual basis, the upper chamber insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed due process and was carried out transparently on the floor of the Senate.
Speaking on Tuesday, Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said the disciplinary action against the Kogi lawmaker was based on findings of misconduct and followed established parliamentary procedures.
According to him, the matter was openly debated during plenary before being referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation.
“The proceedings were conducted in the open, with journalists and members of the public aware of what transpired. The committee submitted its report after inviting Senator Natasha, who failed to appear before it. The Senate thereafter took a decision based on the report,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate spokesman dismissed Oshiomhole’s assertion that at least three senators did not sign or endorse the committee report, arguing that no such complaint was raised by any affected lawmaker during deliberations.
“The issue of signatures being forged or improperly attached never came up during the proceedings. If any senator believed an infraction had been committed against him or her, that senator would have raised it on the floor of the Senate,” he stated.
Adaramodu also questioned the timing of the allegation, noting that the matter had long been concluded.
“This is an issue that has been settled for months. Raising it now appears to be an attempt to reopen a closed chapter. It smacks of mischief,” he added.
The Senate’s reaction comes barely 24 hours after Oshiomhole alleged during an interview on Africa Independent Television that some lawmakers privately informed him that their signatures appeared on the committee report without their consent.
The former Edo State governor specifically referenced FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, as one of those who reportedly expressed concerns about the document.
The controversy centres on the six-month suspension slammed on Akpoti-Uduaghan in March 2025 following a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Her suspension came amid a highly publicised face-off with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of victimisation and other improprieties.
The Senate, however, maintained that the sanction was strictly linked to alleged violations of Senate rules and had no connection with her allegations against Akpabio.
Under the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan lost access to her salary and allowances, had her National Assembly office shut, and was barred from legislative activities for six months.
The matter resurfaced recently after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reportedly described the suspension episode as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.
With Oshiomhole’s fresh allegations now challenging the integrity of the committee report, the political storm surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension appears far from over, setting the stage for another round of scrutiny over one of the Senate’s most contentious decisions in recent years.
