Senate Dismisses Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Petition On Sexual Harassment Against Akpabio

Abuja, Nigeria –  The Nigerian Senate has thrown out a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring it “dead on arrival.”

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), dismissed the petition during a probe session on Wednesday, citing procedural irregularities.

Imasuen ruled that the petition breached Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, as it was personally signed by Akpoti-Uduaghan instead of being endorsed by another individual.

He also noted that the issues raised were already before a court, making them sub judice.

Despite the committee’s scheduled sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the panel.

The session, set for 2:00 PM, did not commence until 2:58 PM when the committee chairman arrived after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South).

While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained absent.

The controversy began two weeks ago when Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly challenged the Senate President over her seat allocation during a plenary session.

Akpabio subsequently referred the matter to the Ethics Committee for investigation.

During deliberations, Adaramodu argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public accusations, including a media interview with Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, had tarnished the Senate’s image.

With the committee’s ruling, the petition has now been dismissed, effectively closing the case within the Senate.