Mild drama unfolded at the National Assembly on Tuesday as senators hesitated to second a motion moved by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding the alleged abuse of Nigerian women in Libyan detention centers
Representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akpoti-Uduaghan had called for urgent intervention to repatriate Nigerian women reportedly languishing in Libyan prisons.
She alleged that several detainees were subjected to sexual exploitation by prison officials and, in some cases, forced to bear children while in custody. She urged the Senate to direct the Nigerian Immigration Service to coordinate with Libyan authorities for their safe return.
Tension rose in the chamber when Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a seconder—a procedural requirement for debate to proceed. Surprisingly, no senator initially stood to support the motion, not even among female lawmakers, leaving the chamber momentarily silent.
The deadlock was broken when Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele rose to second the motion, allowing proceedings to continue.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had recently returned to the Senate after a six-month suspension following allegations of sexual assault she had made against Senate President Akpabio.
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