News
Senate Dismisses Natasha’s Sexual Harassment Petition Against Akpabio
The Senate dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition against Akpabio, citing procedural flaws.
The Senate has dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which she accused him of sexual harassment.
At a probe session on Wednesday, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, declared the petition “dead on arrival,” citing a violation of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
Imasuen explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed the petition instead of having it endorsed by another individual, rendering it procedurally invalid. He further noted that the issues raised were already before the courts, making them sub judice.
Despite being scheduled to appear before the committee, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from the probe session.
The session, set for 2:00 PM, did not commence until 2:58 PM when the committee’s chairman arrived after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent as the session commenced.
The matter had been referred to the Ethics Committee two weeks earlier after Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns during a plenary session. In response, Senate President Akpabio directed the committee to conduct a thorough investigation and report back within two weeks.
During deliberations, Adaramodu argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public confrontation with the Senate President over her seat allocation had tarnished the Senate’s image. He also cited an interview she granted to Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, where she reiterated her allegations against Akpabio.
Following the discussions, the Senate resolved to forward the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, for further review.
