The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions on Wednesday dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, ruling that it was “dead on arrival.”
Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, cited procedural violations, stating that Order 40, Subsection 4, of the Senate Standing Orders prohibits any senator from personally signing a petition they intend to present before the chamber. Since Akpoti-Uduaghan personally signed the petition, it was deemed invalid.
“The petition she presented today runs contrary to Order 40, Subsection 4, which states that no senator may present a petition signed by themselves. That petition, having been signed by her, will not be entertained by this committee,” Imasuen declared during the hearing.
Beyond procedural violations, the committee also ruled that the issues raised in the petition were already before a court, making them sub judice. Imasuen emphasized that the committee could not deliberate on matters currently under judicial review.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Absence at the Hearing
Despite being invited to defend her petition, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from the committee’s hearing. The session, scheduled for 2:00 pm, was delayed until 2:58 pm as the committee awaited her arrival. However, she did not appear, prompting the chairman to express disappointment.
“We waited, but unfortunately, she is not here,” Imasuen noted. The absence of the petitioner further complicated the proceedings, as no presentation was made on her behalf.
It remains unclear why Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to attend the hearing, though committee members speculated that her legal team may have advised her against it. Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu remarked that procedural rules must be followed, stressing that “until you are properly seated, according to Order 6-2 and Order 6-B of our standing rules, you cannot make a contribution.”
Akpabio Denies Allegations, Cites Respect for Women
Reacting to the allegations, Senate President Akpabio categorically denied any involvement in sexual harassment, dismissing the claims as baseless.
“At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria,” Akpabio stated.
He further emphasized that his record in public service speaks for itself, noting that he has consistently championed women’s rights and empowerment throughout his career. Akpabio described the allegations as an attempt to tarnish his reputation and disrupt legislative activities.
Kogi Central Stakeholders React, Threaten Recall Process
In response to the controversy, stakeholders from Kogi Central Senatorial District expressed dissatisfaction with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, warning her to focus on her legislative duties or risk facing a recall.
“We urge Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to concentrate on the mandate entrusted to her by her constituents,” a statement from the group read. The stakeholders accused her of engaging in unnecessary distractions instead of prioritizing development projects for the people of Kogi Central.
The recall threat highlights growing discontent among her constituents over the prolonged feud between her and the Senate leadership. Some political analysts believe the controversy could impact her political standing in the future.
Senate Upholds Legislative Autonomy, Rejects Court Intervention
The Senate Committee also dismissed an order from a Federal High Court in Abuja that sought to restrain the legislative body from taking disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan. Senator Imasuen reiterated that the judiciary cannot interfere in the affairs of the legislature, stating, “We have the privilege to sit and address issues that affect the Senate, and that is exactly what we are here to do.”
Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu further justified the dismissal of the petition, downplaying it as a mere attempt to generate media attention. “It’s just content creation, and then when there is content creation, the media will feast on it. That is what is happening,” he said during an interview on Channels Television.
With the petition officially dismissed, the Senate maintains that its internal rules must be respected and that matters already before the judiciary remain outside its jurisdiction. The controversy, however, has reignited discussions on legislative ethics, gender-related concerns, and the broader implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.
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