The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has asked the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to commence investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against him by the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The development followed the presentation of a petition personally written by Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate at plenary which was monitored by a delegation of a United Kingdom Parliamentarian led by a woman. Kate Ofunne Osamor.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who arrived the National Assembly complex in company with her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, entered the chamber after he gave her a kiss at the entrance
Attempts by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, and the Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, to make Akpabio reverse his ruling failed.
Both Bamidele and Monguno had quoted the relevant rules of the Senate to convince Akpabio to rescind his decision on the matter because it was against the practice of the red chamber to allow petitions personally written and signed by a serving senator.
Akpabio noted their observations but said the ruling would not be reversed and even refuses allow the Senate dissolved into closed session because of the foreign and local visitors who were observing the proceeding.
The UK Parliamentary delegation was led by MP Kate Osamor of Edmonton & Winchmore Hill. Other members on the team comprises member of the Parliament for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale, Rt. Hon. David Mundell and member of the Parliament for Westminster North, Dame Karen Buck.
Other members are of the House of Lords, Lord Jonathan Oates, member of the Parliament for Worthing West, Dr. Beccy Cooper and member of the Parliament for Plymouth Moor View, Rt Hon. Fred Thomas, among others.
Akpabio described Natasha’s sexual harassment allegation as spurious, saying that he had highest regard for women.
He said, “On February 2025, there were some spurious allegations making the rounds in the social media and on television of a purported harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“While I am aware that the matters are in court, however, I would like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment.
“I have my siblings who were raised very well by my late single mother through very difficult times. She died in the year 2000. I therefore have the highest regards for women.
“I also wish to say that I have four beautiful daughters. At no time will I ever harass any woman.
“I never do so. In addition, even as a state governor, I was awarded various awards. One of them was “the most gender friendly governor” in Nigeria.
“I served between 2007 and 2015. In conclusion, I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media and members of the social media, to await the court’s decision. Please do not jump to conclusions on this allegation.”
The Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Cyril Fasuyi, vowed to come up with a petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan who allegedly claimed that former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, had sold the Ajaokuta Steel Firm when he was a Minister.
Early on Wednesday, an Abuja Federal High Court had restrained the Senate Committee on Code of Conduct and Public Petitions from probing the Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over incident of disorder over reallocation of seats in the chamber.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who granted the interim injunction among others, ordered the National Assembly, Senate and the Senate Committee on Ethics to suspend the hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
The defendants, including the Clerk to the National Assembly, Clerk of the Senate and the Committee on Ethics, are to show cause within 72 hours why an interlocutory injunction to stop the hearing should not be granted.
The Court action was sequel to the decision the Senate through its Ethics Committee to probe the allegations of misconduct against Akpoti-Uduaghan, during plenary last week.
The Ethics Panel had asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to appear before it to answer questions on the alleged misconduct during plenary.
The Committee chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen shunned the Court order and sat on the matter after plenary.
The panel listened to presentation by the Senate Spokesperson, Adeyemi Adaramodu, who moved the motion on the floor which led to the Senate resolution to probe Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged misconduct through the Ethics Panel.
Adaramodu lamented that the actions of Akpoti-Uduaghan through the interviews she had granted to the media had negativity affected the image of the Senate.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Titus Zam, also made a presentation before the panel.
He debunked claims that Akpabio was deliberately frustrating Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motions and bills because of her alleged refusal to accept the Senate President’s sexual advances.
He explained that all her bills and motions followed due process.
