ActionAid Nigeria Says “Speedy Suspension” of Natasha Questionable

… Calls for Independent Inquiry into Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Akpabio

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has said the speed at which Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate over the ongoing saga with the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio raises concern about application of due process.

AAN, in a statement personally signed by its Country Representative in Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu said while the group acknowledges the authority of the Senate Committee on Ethics to discipline its members for breaches of legislative rules, as it was done in the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing her misconduct and refusal to comply with the chamber’s seating arrangement during the plenary session on 20th February 2025, however expressed reservations on the dispatch of punishment.

Mamedu said “the speed with which the Senate’s Ethics Committee investigated, ruled on, and implemented her suspension raises concerns about due process. Within 24 hours, she was subjected to an inquiry, found guilty, and suspended for six months—losing her salary, allowances, security details, and access to her office. Given the weight of this decision, should such a process not have undergone thorough deliberation in line with the principles of fair hearing and justice enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution?

“Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to a fair hearing, which includes adequate time for defense and a transparent adjudication process. The Nigerian judiciary has also ruled that legislative suspensions should not exceed 14 days, reinforcing the principle that elect representatives cannot be arbitrarily denied their mandate for extended periods. How then does this six-month suspension align with legal precedent?”

Mamedu added that: “Beyond this, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has resubmitted a petition concerning allegations of sexual harassment. ActionAid Nigeria expects the same urgency applied to her suspension to be used in reviewing this case. The Ethics Committee has demonstrated its ability to act swiftly—will this efficiency be extended to matters of justice and accountability, or does urgency only apply to punitive measures?

“ActionAid Nigeria demands an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry into the allegations of misconduct raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as an independent body mandated to safeguard human rights and promote justice, should be actively involved in cases like this to ensure impartiality. They have a duty to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation or gender, receives fair treatment under the law. The involvement of an independent body in reviewing legislative disciplinary measures would strengthen public confidence in the system and ensure that punitive actions are not used as tools for political suppression. Given the questions surrounding the fairness of this case, the NHRC should initiate an independent review of the circumstances leading to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and examine whether due process was fully observed.

“This suspension also has wider implications. Beyond the immediate legal and ethical concerns, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension further weakens women’s representation in Nigerian politics. Her removal from the Red Chamber reduces the already abysmal 3.6% female representation in the Senate to just 2.7%—one of the lowest in the world. Countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Senegal have made significant progress in ensuring gender balance in their legislative bodies, with women constituting over 40% of parliamentary seats in some cases. The suspension of a female senator—especially in a case where the punishment is being questioned—only reinforces structural barriers that discourage women from pursuing political office.

“Her suspension also has serious consequences for the people she represents. Her constituents in Kogi Central are now effectively left out. By removing her from office for half a year, the Senate has, in effect, denied her constituents a seat at the table where critical national decisions are made. This raises fundamental concerns about democratic representation—should a constituency be punished alongside its senator? What mechanisms are in place to ensure that the people of Kogi Central continue to receive fair representation in the absence of their elected senator? The Senate must consider the broader consequences of such decisions and ensure that its disciplinary measures do not come at the expense of democratic governance.

“The National Assembly should be a space for diverse perspectives, yet this action raises concerns about whether opposition voices are being silenced. While legislative discipline is necessary, it must be exercised with fairness and consistency.”

ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to gender justice and democratic integrity, stating:
“ActionAid Nigeria respects the institution of the Senate, but we also urge it to uphold democratic principles by allowing room for dissenting voices rather than silencing them. The credibility of any democratic institution lies in its ability to accommodate differing perspectives, protect fundamental human rights, and ensure justice for all, regardless of gender, status, or political affiliation.”

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day, ActionAid Nigeria calls on the government to accelerate progress toward gender equality by strengthening policies that promote women’s political participation. Creating a fair, transparent, and safe environment for female politicians to emerge and thrive is a critical development goal that must not be undermined by institutional bias or abuse of power.

Mamedu said failure to act on these demands will send a dangerous message about Nigeria’s commitment to gender justice and human rights. The credibility of the Senate—and indeed, our democracy—is at stake.

ActionAid Nigeria Says “Speedy Suspension” of Natasha Questionable

IWD: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Urgent Investment in Women, Gender Equality

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has called for the urgent investment in women and accelerated progress towards gender equality.

This was the message of the organisation to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day, with the theme, “Investing in Women, Accelerating Progress, is not just a call to action, it is a non-negotiable requirement for sustainable development, justice, and equity.”

AAN, in a statement on Friday, explained that: “Women are the backbone of our economy, democracy, and communities. They lead, innovate, and build. Yet, in Nigeria, we continue to witness systemic efforts to stifle women’s participation, particularly in male-dominated spaces. From governance to corporate leadership and civil society, women who challenge the status quo often face intimidation, harassment, and exclusion.”

It therefore noted that the resignation of Mojisola Meranda in Lagos House of Assembly and the sexual harassment allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan are stark reminders of the challenges women encounter in leadership.

The statement signed by the Country Director, AAN, Andrew Mamedu read: “These incidents raise urgent questions: Where is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)? What role is the Code of Conduct Bureau playing in ensuring accountability and justice? If we are serious about accelerating progress, institutions must work effectively to protect women in leadership from intimidation and harassment.

“At ActionAid Nigeria, we have seen firsthand the impact of investing in women. Through initiatives such as the Women’s Voice and Leadership Project, we have supported local women’s rights organizations to drive meaningful change. We are tackling harmful social norms through the Multistakeholder Action on the Prevention of Gender Based Violence (MAP-GBV) Project while empowering young girls as researchers and change agents through the Girl-led Research and Action initiative. These investments do more than uplift women, they create stronger families, healthier communities, and a more inclusive society.”

The statement added that: “Prioritising women’s rights and empowerment is not just a moral obligation but an economic and social imperative. All tiers of government; federal, state, and local must take decisive action by implementing policies and programmes that create real and lasting impact for women and girls. Increased investments in gender-responsive public services are essential to ensuring women have equitable access to land ownership, financial inclusion, and decent work opportunities.

“The federal and state governments must strengthen and enforce laws that protect women from gender-based violence, ensure swift and fair judicial processes for survivors, and eliminate barriers that hinder access to justice. Leadership structures must be comprehensively overhauled to enable women’s full and active participation in governance, policymaking, and economic development.”

Mamedu also highlighted the urgent need for institutional reforms to address sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse, adding, “All investigations, especially high-profile cases brought to public attention, must include independent oversight bodies to guarantee fair and transparent investigations. Public observation mechanisms should be incorporated to enhance accountability in cases of national interest, ensuring that justice is not only served but seen to be served.” Additionally, he stressed, “Workplace and institutional safeguarding policies must be strengthened to create environments where women feel safe, valued, and protected. A zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and discrimination must be effectively implemented across all sectors, with clear mechanisms for reporting and redress to prevent further violations.”

He called on the presidency to show stronger commitment through concrete action, stating, “The body language of the presidency must align with the urgent need for gender equality. This includes publicly condemning acts of gender-based violence, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring women’s rights are prioritised in national policies and governance. “Prioritising women’s rights and empowerment is not just a moral obligation but an economic and social imperative.

“To the women and girls of Nigeria: Your voices matter. Your contributions shape the nation. Let us continue to break barriers, challenge discrimination, and demand a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.”

IWD: ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Urgent Investment in Women, Gender Equality

NSCDC Boss Affirms Commitment to Protection of Infrastructure, Critical National Assets

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Dr Ahmed Audi has affirmed the commitment of the NSCDC to its statutory core mandate in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across the federation.

He gave the promise during an assemblage of Principal Management Staff Officers, State Commandants, Provost of Colleges and Heads of Tactical Forces.

Audi. in a keynote address, emphasized that the relevance of the Corps is hinged on unwavering commitment to ensuring the prosecution of its mandate and protection of the civil populace.

He said there is need to re-strategize by evaluating and appraising the performances of field operations officers and their heads noting that the Corps has benefitted from the Federal Government and the only way to reciprocate the gesture is adherence to the mandate and its effective fulfilment.

“At this first quarterly meeting we need to evaluate and appraise our performances to know where we need to implement new strategies for an improved results”.

“I urge you to intensify efforts and be focused in the discharge of our statutory roles and responsibility as the Federal Government has dedicated resources to ensuring our optimal performance.”

“Apparently, we have been receiving various support from the government therefore it is expected that we reciprocate by putting in active and results oriented efforts.”

“The continuous and relentless pursuit of the Core mandates of the NSCDC must be our priority; we must commit ourselves wholly to securing the critical national infrastructure and ensuring the safety of Nigerians”.

The CG while charging the attendees across the 36 States of the federation and FCT; noted that the Corps need to frankly embrace the enormous task of securing the nation amidst emerging security threats posed by what he described as asymmetric conflict often characterised by Crude oil theft, Vandalism, Farmers/Herders clashes, Kidnapping, hostage-taking, Insurgency and of course terrorism.

The NSCDC Boss hinted that intelligence has revealed that there is a nexus between illegal mining activities and banditry. He said it was gathered that illegal miners often connive with suspected bandits to embark on their nefarious tasks.

“Intelligence has now revealed that most illegal miners collude with bandits and hibernate around us to unleash mayhem and maneuver with our resources.”

The CG however re-assured the government and the public of continuous fight against economic sabotage as all hands would be on deck to ensure the safety and security of citizens across board.

NSCDC Boss Affirms Commitment to Protection of Infrastructure, Critical National Assets