A brief drama unfolded in the Senate on Tuesday after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) was ruled out of order while attempting to contribute to the debate on abortion during the consideration of the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The session, which lasted over an hour, saw lawmakers engage in extensive deliberations on the bill, aimed at introducing stiffer penalties for criminal offences in Nigeria. The proposed legislation was one of four bills listed for concurrence from the House of Representatives.
During the clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate swiftly passed the first three clauses, including a provision prescribing life imprisonment for offenders convicted of defilement. However, proceedings stalled on the clause relating to abortion, as lawmakers disagreed over how to define circumstances under which abortion could be deemed “merciful” or “cruel.”
Following the impasse, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion to step down the contentious clause for further consultations, a motion which was adopted after Senate President Godswill Akpabio put it to a voice vote.
Just as Akpabio struck the gavel to close deliberations, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a point of order, seeking to make a contribution on the abortion clause. Her attempt was, however, blocked by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who argued that allowing further discussion after the gavel had been struck would breach the Senate’s standing rules and set a wrong precedent.
After a brief hesitation, Akpabio, citing Order 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, ruled Akpoti-Uduaghan out of order, effectively bringing the debate to an end.
