The Nigerian Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, announced the dismissal during a probe hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, citing procedural errors and legal constraints.
According to Imasuen, the petition was “dead on arrival” because Akpoti-Uduaghan signed it herself, violating Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, which mandates that petitions be endorsed by another individual.
“The petition that she (Natasha) presented today runs contrary to Order 40, Subsection 4, which states that no senator may present a petition signed by themselves. Since that petition was signed by her, it will not be entertained by this committee,” he stated.
Imasuen further noted that the allegations were already before a court, making them subjudice and beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.
Despite the committee’s scheduled sitting at 2 pm, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear, while Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu arrived shortly before proceedings began.
Earlier in the day, during plenary, Akpoti-Uduaghan formally accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. However, Akpabio swiftly denied the claims, dismissing them 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 asserted.
