The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, announced the dismissal today during a probe hearing at the National Assembly. He stated that the petition was deemed “dead on arrival” due to procedural lapses and legal constraints.
Procedural Violation Cited
Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District, clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition violated Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
According to him, a petition submitted by a senator must be endorsed by another individual to be considered valid. However, in this case, Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself, rendering it inadmissible.
“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,” Imasuen stated.
Subjudice Concerns Raised
In addition to the procedural violation, the committee noted that the issues raised in the petition were already in court, making them subjudice. As a result, the Senate lacks jurisdiction to deliberate on the matter.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Absent at Probe Hearing
Despite the committee scheduling a hearing for 2:00 PM on Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the panel. The session eventually commenced at 2:58 PM after the arrival of the committee’s chairman.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, who was expected at the hearing, arrived at 2:50 PM, but Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent.
The senator representing Kogi Central had earlier presented her petition during the Wednesday plenary, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. However, the Senate President swiftly denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless.
Akpabio’s Response
Reacting to the allegations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio strongly refuted the claims, emphasizing that he has never harassed any woman.
“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 asserted.
Political and Legal Implications
The dismissal of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition has sparked reactions within political circles, with some analysts interpreting it as a strategic move to shield the Senate President from scrutiny. Others argue that the procedural flaws and legal constraints cited by the Ethics Committee justify the decision.
While Akpoti-Uduaghan’s failure to appear before the committee raises questions about her commitment to pursuing the case within the Senate framework, the matter’s presence in court suggests that the legal battle is far from over.
With the Senate committee shutting down the petition on technical and legal grounds, attention now shifts to the judicial proceedings surrounding the case. Whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will pursue other legislative channels or focus on the legal battle remains to be seen.
For now, the Senate has effectively closed the chapter on the petition within its legislative process, reinforcing its procedural rules and legal limitations in handling such allegations.
