Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udughan’s sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a new twist after senators disagreed on the grounds for submission.
Akpoti-Uduaghan formally submitted the petition on Wednesday following the claim of the senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, that the only petition before the senate is the senator’s disobedience to orders of the red chamber.
This move sparked widespread public debate in the country, with many supporters of the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District turning out in force to demand justice for the senator and Akpabio’s resignation in the case.
Some senators have supported Akpabio while dismissing Akpoti’s petition, citing Order 40, Rule 7 of the Senate Standing Order.
According to Sen. Mohammed Monguno (Borno, APC), the issue in Akpoti’s petition is already in the court of law, and the Senate rules do not allow for deliberation on it.
“The matter is in the court of law. Senator Natasha herself has gone to court in respect of this matter, and also the wife of the Senate President has equally gone to court for this matter.
“The Senate, therefore, does not have the jurisdiction to entertain this matter. That the matter should be referred to the ethics and petition committee is not necessary,” he said.
Another senator, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North Senatorial District, APC), brought the case to the Ethics Committee to decide the appropriate order and the interpretation of the regulations mentioned by Senator Mungono for clarification.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central District, APC) emphasized the senate standing rule’s order 40, sub 4, which states that no senator bringing in a petition shall be the author of the same, adding, “The essence of the rule is to lay petitions on behalf of constituents rather than to be the author.
“Mr. President, I sympathize with you as a man being accused of sexual harassment, but I am not going to comment on that because there will be ample opportunities for the relevant authorities to deal with that, but I know that Senator Natasha went to court on the matter, then appeared on national TV on the sexual harassment matter, and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Uloma Akpabio, went to court, and parties have been served.”
In response to her colleagues’ claims, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that her harassment petition was not before the court and that the only matter before the court was cyberbullying committed by Akpabio’s special assistant on New Media, Patrick Udom, who described her “decent outfit” as transparent by depicting her as naked in the chambers.
She also asked Akpabio to accept and transmit her petition to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for discussion.
Chronicle NG reports that Akpabio had earlier denied allegations of sexual harassment made against him by Akpoti.
He said, “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 that he had been receiving calls about the matter since February 25 and was aware of the discussions on social media.
He, therefore, enjoined Nigerians and the media to avoid making conclusions, asking them to wait for the court’s decision.
