The Senate has dismissed the sexual harassment petition filed by Kogi lawmaker Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, labeling it as “dead on arrival.” The Senate deemed her action a violation of the Senate Standing Rules.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of making sexual advances toward her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023. She alleged that Akpabio held her hand, guided her around his house, and made sexual advances while her husband trailed behind them. Additionally, she claimed that Akpabio had previously asked her to “make him happy” if she wanted her motions to be smoothly considered on the Senate floor.
The allegations surfaced shortly after the Senate voted to refer Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for protesting new sitting arrangements in the Senate chamber.
In response, Akpabio denied the sexual harassment claims during Wednesday’s plenary, asserting that he holds the utmost respect for women and describing the allegations as false and baseless.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had submitted a formal petition to the Senate, which was subsequently referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions by Akpabio.
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno, criticized her actions as a breach of the Senate Standing Rules.
