Senate rejects Oshiomhole's forgery claim about Natasha's suspension

The Nigerian Senate has rejected claims made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that signatures were forged in the process that led to the suspension of Kogi Central lawmaker Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan.

Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu called the allegation “untrue,” stating that no senator’s signature was forged during the proceedings that resulted in Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s six‑month suspension.

Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, said in an interview with AIT that the names of at least three lawmakers appeared in the report recommending Natasha’s suspension without their consent. He claimed that some senators whose names were listed in the report privately told him they had neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations.

Responding to the allegation on Tuesday, Adaramodu said the claim was “strange and without basis.” “That is not true. Signatures forged, over what?” he asked.

The Senate spokesman also dismissed claims involving Senator Ireti Kingibe, noting that she had never filed a complaint before the Senate about the matter. “Senators are independent minded individuals who would openly challenge any wrongdoing if it occurred,” he said. “Nobody will say that he or she was coerced or somebody’s signature was forged; that has never happened in the Senate and it cannot happen. Senators are mature men and women. If there is any infraction, the affected person will speak up,” Adaramodu added.

He said the Senate would review Oshiomhole’s comments and determine its position. “We are going to look into it and take a stand. But no senator has reported that his or her signature was forged during the Natasha matter,” he stated.

Adaramodu maintained that the issue was openly debated during plenary and that Nigerians witnessed the process, stressing that the Senate acted in line with its rules and procedures.