Senator Adams Oshiomhole has alleged that the signatures of at least three senators were either forged or improperly included in the report that recommended the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.
The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District made the claim during an interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT) on Monday while responding to recent comments by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.
Oshiomhole claimed that some lawmakers whose names appeared on the report had privately informed him that they neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations.
According to the former Edo State governor, one of the senators who reportedly disputed the inclusion of her name was the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe.
“The committee does a hearing; members are expected to sign the report to endorse it. If you don’t agree, you can abstain. But some said they didn’t sign, yet their names were published,” Oshiomhole said.
Referring specifically to Kingibe, he added: “She told me, ‘But I didn’t sign that report. But my name was published.’”
Oshiomhole argued that attaching lawmakers’ names to a committee report without their approval would amount to a violation of parliamentary procedures, stressing that signatures on committee reports signify endorsement of their contents.
He explained that committee members who disagree with recommendations have the option of withholding their signatures rather than endorsing a report they do not support.
“So, where many don’t accept the content, they could abstain from signing it because to sign is to endorse. One, two or three senators said, ‘We didn’t sign, but our names were there,’” he stated.
The senator suggested that the issue may have arisen from the use of an attendance register rather than actual signatures endorsing the report, although he did not provide evidence to support the claim.
“But how? Some say maybe they attached an attendance register, which is not the appropriate thing. But that’s not my problem. If Opeyemi said so, I think you should take it seriously,” he added.
The controversy centres on the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which recommended disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following allegations of misconduct and unruly behaviour.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended by the Senate in March 2025 for six months after the committee found her guilty of violating Senate rules.
The disciplinary action came amid a highly publicised dispute between the Kogi Central lawmaker and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan had repeatedly accused the Senate President of victimisation and other improprieties, allegations that generated widespread public debate.
The Senate, however, maintained that her suspension was based solely on her conduct during legislative proceedings and was unrelated to her accusations against Akpabio.
As part of the disciplinary measures, the Senate withdrew her salaries and allowances, shut down her office within the National Assembly complex and barred her from accessing legislative facilities throughout the suspension period.
The matter returned to public attention after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele recently described the suspension as one of the most regrettable episodes in the current Senate, sparking renewed debate about the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Oshiomhole’s allegations have now added a fresh dimension to the controversy, with calls emerging for greater transparency regarding the committee’s deliberations and the process that led to the suspension.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions nor the Senate leadership had issued an official response to the claims.
Attempts to obtain a reaction from the media office of Senate President Godswill Akpabio were unsuccessful.
