The spokesperson for the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has clarified that the sexual harassment allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is not currently before the Senate.
Speaking in a televised interview on Monday, Adaramodu emphasized that the only matter under review by the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions pertains to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged non-compliance with the Senate’s standing orders.
“The only matter before the Senate is between Senator Natasha and the rest of the senators, regarding her failure to comply with the standing orders of the Senate. No other issues,” Adaramodu stated.
He further explained that if any new developments arise related to the issue or any other senator, it would be reviewed by the committee once referred to them, but would remain an internal Senate matter.
“Should anything come up tomorrow involving any senator in the National Assembly, the ethics, privileges, and public petition committee will review it once it is referred to them. It will be treated as an internal affair,” he added.
Adaramodu also made it clear that the actions or statements made within the Senate chamber are not actionable in a court of law. As a result, any matters raised within the chamber will be handled by the committee according to internal procedures.
“The Senate does not control the committee, and the Senate President does not oversee its members. It is an independent committee,” he said, further distancing the Senate’s role in the issue.
