The Nigerian Senate has dismissed the sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring it invalid due to procedural flaws.
The petition, which was submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was thrown out by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. The committee, led by Senator Neda Imasuen of the Labour Party (Edo South), ruled that the petition did not meet the required standards of the Senate’s Standing Orders and was therefore “dead on arrival.”
During the committee’s probe session on Wednesday, Imasuen stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan had signed the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another individual, as required by Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders. This, he explained, made the petition procedurally invalid. He further noted that the allegations raised in the petition were already before the court, making them sub judice and beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.
The petition was initially submitted two weeks ago after an incident during a Senate plenary session where Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Following the allegations, Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Ethics to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report within two weeks.
Absence at the Probe Session
Despite the committee’s scheduled sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan did not appear before the panel to defend her petition. The session, which was slated for 2:00 PM, was delayed and only commenced at 2:58 PM when Senator Imasuen arrived. The delay was attributed to the absence of key figures, including Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu of the All Progressives Congress (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan was still missing when the session began.
The absence of the petitioner was a significant factor in the committee’s decision to dismiss the case. According to the chairman of the committee, her failure to appear and defend her claims raised concerns about the seriousness of the allegations.
Background to the Controversy
The allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan stem from a heated exchange in the Senate chamber regarding her seat allocation. During a plenary session, she publicly accused Akpabio of inappropriate behavior, which led to further tensions between the two lawmakers.
The matter gained public attention after she appeared on Brekete Family, a popular program on Human Rights Radio and TV, where she reiterated her allegations against Akpabio. Her remarks in the interview further fueled the controversy, leading to mixed reactions from the public and her colleagues in the Senate.
Following the public outcry, the Senate resolved to refer the case to the Ethics Committee for review. The decision to investigate the matter was seen as an attempt to uphold the integrity of the Senate and address allegations of misconduct within its ranks.
Senate’s Stance on the Allegations
During deliberations, Senator Yemi Adaramodu argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public confrontation with Akpabio had damaged the Senate’s image. He stated that her decision to take the matter to the media before allowing the Senate to investigate internally was inappropriate and portrayed the institution in a negative light.
Other senators also expressed concerns over the impact of the allegations on the Senate’s credibility. Some lawmakers viewed the petition as politically motivated, while others called for stricter adherence to Senate procedures when handling such sensitive issues.
Implications of the Committee’s Ruling
The dismissal of the petition means that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations will no longer be pursued within the Senate. However, since the matter is already in court, legal proceedings may continue outside the legislative chamber.
Observers believe that the ruling may further strain the relationship between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio, as well as deepen existing divisions within the Senate along party lines. Some political analysts suggest that the controversy could have long-term implications for both lawmakers, particularly as they navigate their political careers. While the Ethics Committee’s decision has settled the matter within the Senate, the public debate surrounding the allegations is far from over. Some Nigerians have called for a more transparent investigation, while others believe the ruling was fair, considering the procedural errors in the petition.
