There was mild drama at the Senate on Tuesday when lawmakers hesitated to second a motion moved by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) seeking the repatriation of Nigerian women allegedly abused in Libyan prisons.
The incident unfolded during deliberations on a motion addressing the abuse of the rights of Nigerian migrants in Libya.
Presenting the motion, Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Senate to intervene in the plight of several Nigerian women reportedly detained and subjected to sexual exploitation by prison officials, with some allegedly forced to bear children while in custody.
She appealed to the red chamber to mandate the Nigerian Immigration Service to liaise with Libyan authorities to facilitate the women’s repatriation and rehabilitation.
However, after she presented her motion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a seconder—a mandatory step before the motion could proceed—but none of the senators, including the female lawmakers, initially stood up to support it.
The chamber fell into an awkward silence for several moments before Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele eventually rose to second the motion, allowing discussions on the issue to continue.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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