Senate Rejects Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Petition Against Akpabio

…Petition Declared Invalid as Senator Fails to Appear Before Ethics Committee

Abuja – The Nigerian Senate has ruled against a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, dismissing the allegations of sexual harassment due to procedural flaws.

During a Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions hearing on Wednesday, Chairman Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South) declared the petition null and void. He cited a violation of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan personally signed the petition rather than securing an endorsement from a third party, which rendered it procedurally defective. Furthermore, Imasuen pointed out that the matters raised in the petition were already subject to court proceedings, making them sub judice and beyond the committee’s jurisdiction.

Despite being scheduled to appear before the committee, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent at the designated session. The hearing, set for 2:00 PM, commenced at 2:58 PM when the chairman arrived after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to attend the meeting.

The petition initially reached the Ethics Committee two weeks earlier following a plenary session incident involving Akpoti-Uduaghan. In response, Senate President Akpabio directed the committee to investigate the matter and submit findings within two weeks.

During Senate discussions, Adaramodu highlighted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public confrontation with the Senate President over seat allocation had negatively impacted the legislative body’s reputation. He also referenced her interview with Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, where she reiterated the allegations against Akpabio.

Following these deliberations, the Senate upheld the Ethics Committee’s recommendation, officially discarding the petition as invalid.

Senate Rules and Ethics Guidelines