Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a formal petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, accusing him of sexual harassment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, addressing under Order 40 of the Senate Rules, informed her colleagues that she had already made the charges in an Arise TV interview and was now officially bringing them to the Senate.
In answer, Akpabio instructed her to proceed with the submission, which she did.
The petition was promptly forwarded to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for assessment.
Earlier during plenary, Akpabio denied the allegations, insisting that he had never harassed any woman.
“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,” he said.
The Senate President, who confirmed receiving many calls on the topic since February 25, said he was aware of the intense conversations on social media.
Akpabio, however, encouraged Nigerians to refrain from forming assumptions and allow the legal process to take its course.
