Senator Gloria Orwoba suspended for 6 months over 'unsubstantiated' sexual claims

This follows the adoption of a report by the Powers and Privileges Committee of the Senate which made the decision to suspend Orwoba after she failed to appear before it to defend herself against charges levelled against her.

The report was tabled for debate on Wednesday with the House, in a majority vote, upholding the decision to suspend her. 

Orwoba faced several counts among them making unsubstantiated allegations that there were instances of pursuit of sexual favours in parliament by posting messages on the senate business Whatsapp group.

She was also accused of making allegations of favouritism and discrimination on the Senate Whatsapp group and during a press conference as well as unsubstantiated reports of corruption in the Senate.

Orwoba was summoned to the Powers and Privileges Committee, but according to the report she failed to appear and defend herself. 

“Having accorded Senator Gloria Orwoba an opportunity to be heard, the senator declined to participate in the inquiry by the committee on Powers and Privileges and hence the committee found the charges to stand,’’ the report stated. 

“The committee considered the evidence before it on this charge and given that there was no evidence to the contrary to refute the charge, the charge was therefore confirmed,” it added. 

Orwoba was also accused of disrespecting fellow senators by publishing information that was disrespectful to her colleagues, imputing improper motive on fellow Senators, a charge that was also substantiated by the Senator failing to appear before the committee to defend herself. 

The committee thus recommended the controversial nominated Senator be suspended for 6 months from the Senate and Parliament precincts.

“Pursuant to section 17(3) g, of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act 2017, the senator to be suspended from the house for the remainder of the second session of the thirteenth parliament,” the report stated.

The senator will also be barred from accessing precincts of parliament, and the use or enjoyment of any specific facility provided to members for the period that she will be suspended. 

The senator will be required to apologize before all the senators at the bar before being allowed back in the Senate at the end of her suspension.