Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, has refiled a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, presented the petition anew during the plenary session on Thursday, following the rejection of her initial submission by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
During her presentation, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan indicated that the petition was submitted on behalf of her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu. In response to an inquiry from Senate President Akpabio regarding any potential legal obstacles to the acceptance of the petition, she confirmed that there were none.
Subsequently, the Senate President directed her to formally present the petition to the Senate, which was then referred to the Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, with instructions to report back to the plenary within four weeks following a legislative review.
It is important to note that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously introduced a petition containing sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio during the plenary session on Wednesday, which generated significant controversy. Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order, invoking Senate Standing Order 40. He argued that the matter could not be addressed or forwarded to the Ethics Committee due to its sub judice status, stemming from an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s spouse. Monguno further asserted that the petition could not be entertained since it bore the personal signature of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Consequently, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, labeling it as “dead on arrival.”