- The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions scheduling a hearing to address the sexual harassment allegations brought forward by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan was notably absent from the proceedings.
- According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s self-signed petition violated procedural requirements, as it should have been endorsed by another individual.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has rejected a petition alleging sexual harassment filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Committee Chairman Senator Neda Imasuen declared the petition “dead on arrival” during a probe hearing on Wednesday, citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Order.
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According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s self-signed petition violated procedural requirements, as it should have been endorsed by another individual.
Furthermore, the issues raised in the petition were deemed subjudice due to ongoing court proceedings, leading the committee to dismiss the case.
“The petition that she (Natasha) presented today is actually dead on arrival; it runs contrary to Order 40, Subsection 4, which states that no senator may present to the Senate a petition signed by him or herself.
Since that petition was signed by her, it will not be entertained by this committee,” he said.
Despite the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions scheduling a hearing to address the sexual harassment allegations brought forward by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan was notably absent from the proceedings.
The session, initially set for 2 pm, experienced delays as both Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, were awaited.
Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50 pm, but Akpoti-Uduaghan did not attend the hearing.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate received Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
In response to the allegations during the plenary, Akpabio firmly denied any wrongdoing, dismissing them as baseless.
The Senate Committee ultimately dismissed the petition due to procedural violations and the ongoing court proceedings regarding the allegations.
“At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria,” Akpabio stated.
