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{VIDEO} Sexual Harassment: Senator Natasha Resubmits Petition Against Akpabio

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedMarch 6, 2025

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Thursday resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

This was announced by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, and NGOs resubmitted the petition during plenary after her earlier petition was rejected by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

OSUN DEFENDER had reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday, presented a petition of sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.

However, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40.

Today, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan once more presented a petition in the Senate. She accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office, as outlined in a petition signed by her constituent from Kogi Central. pic.twitter.com/gNlVRl5qlx

— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) March 6, 2025

He argued that the matter could not be entertained or referred to the Ethics Committee, as it was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.

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Monguno also contended that the petition could not be considered since Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.

As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”

Speaking during the presentation on Thursday, the Kogi lawmaker said the newly submitted petition was filed by her constituents, led by one Zubairu Yakubu.

After presenting the petition, Senate President Akpabio asked whether there were any legal impediments to accepting the petition, and she responded that there were none.

Akpabio instructed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate and was subsequently referred to the Ethics committee led by Senator Neda Imasuen, with a directive to report back to the plenary within four weeks after legislative review.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.