Nigerian MP barred from Senate after sexual harassment claims

Nigerian MP Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. [Instagram/@natashaakpoti

A Nigerian lawmaker who was suspended after accusing the head of the upper house of sexual harassment, was denied entry into parliament on Tuesday despite a court ruling for her reinstatement.

Television channels showed security forces and armed police preventing Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering the complex in the federal capital Abuja.

Akpoti-Uduaghan in February accused the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, of making unwanted sexual advances. She was then suspended for six months by a Senate committee.

Speaking to journalists outside the gate, she said she was disappointed at the number of "armed policemen" who were "all well kitted with guns, (and) charged at a female senator who is unarmed".

Earlier this month, an Abuja court ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to be reinstated, ruling that the six-month suspension was excessive.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had claimed Akpabio had asked for sexual favours, an allegation he denies.

She is among four female members in the 109-seat chamber.