By Parrot Newspaper 
Natasha: How Akpabio the Suspect Becomes the Prosecutor and the Judge
In a bizarre display of power and impunity, the Nigerian Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months—over allegations she made against none other than Akpabio himself. This raises an uncomfortable but crucial question: How does the accused become both the prosecutor and the judge in his own case?
Only in Nigeria does such a spectacle unfold without consequence. In any serious democracy, Akpabio would have immediately stepped aside to allow an independent investigation. Instead, he presided over the Senate’s so-called disciplinary process, overseeing the report, the debate, and ultimately, the punishment. This isn’t just a conflict of interest—it’s a complete mockery of justice.
The Senate’s justification? That Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behavior violated the chamber’s rules. But let’s not be deceived: this was never about Senate rules. It was about silencing a woman who dared to speak out. By labeling her actions as “chaos” and “disorderly conduct,” the Senate conveniently avoided addressing the real issue—the sexual harassment allegations against its own President.
The senators who backed this move wrapped their words in talk of “protecting the institution” and “maintaining order.” But where is the order in a system that allows an accused person to decide the fate of his accuser? Where is the institutional integrity when power is used to crush dissent instead of upholding justice?
Now, imagine if the roles were reversed. Would Akpabio be facing a six-month suspension if he had accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of similar misconduct? Would his office be sealed? Would his security details be withdrawn? Of course not.
In any functioning democracy, Akpabio would be under investigation, not wielding the gavel. But this is Nigeria, where power shields the powerful, where due process is an inconvenience, and where justice is whatever those in authority say it is.
The suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not just about her—it is about the weaponization of power to silence voices that threaten the status quo. It is a reminder that in Nigeria, the scales of justice are not just tipped—they are firmly in the hands of those who fear accountability the most.