A heated exchange unfolded in the Senate on Tuesday when Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, and Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan (Kogi Central) collided during debate on the Criminal Code Amendment Bill, which proposes stiffer penalties for individuals who facilitate abortions.
The amendment, previously passed by the House of Representatives and now before the upper chamber for concurrence, recommends raising the jail term from three years to ten years for those supplying abortion‑related instruments or drugs.
As debate intensified, senators diverged sharply on what qualifies as “unlawful abortion.”
For example, Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) argued that abortion may sometimes be medically necessary or justified on religious grounds.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) warned the bill might restrict doctors’ ability to give critical care.
After the exchanges, Akpabio intervened: he stepped down the bill and referred it to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters for further review.
When Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan attempted to make her contribution, she appealed: “Mr Senate President, please may I speak? I am a woman and abortion has to do with women. It is very important, sir.”
However, Akpabio ruled her out of order, citing Rule 52 (Subsection 6) of the Senate Standing Orders which prevents reconsideration of a matter once it has been concluded.
After the session, Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan expressed her disappointment and said she would await the committee stage to raise her inputs.
