***As Natasha Files Fresh Petition Against Akpabio
President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio has officially denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He reacted to the allegations on Wednesday at the resumption of plenary in the Senate, after a week’s recess.
The Senate President, who said he had been overwhelmed with calls on the matter since February 25, and that he was aware of the growing social media discourse, urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions and instead await the court’s decision on the matter.
However, immediately after his remarks, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a petition under Order 40, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
The Nigerian Senate was plunged into controversy following fresh allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The dispute, which began as a disagreement over seating arrangements in the Senate Chamber, escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of abuse of office and inappropriate conduct.
While the Senate President has categorically denied the allegations, insisting he has “always upheld respect for women,” the Kogi senator has now taken the matter further by submitting fresh evidence in a formal petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
Despite Akpabio’s calls for restraint and for Nigerians to await a court decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan pressed forward, demanding an official review of her claims.
In a dramatic twist, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an injunction barring the Senate Committee from proceeding with disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, emphasized the need to ensure that the senator’s rights were not violated under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.
Meanwhile Pro-Natasha Protest Erupted at the National Assembly Over Akpabio Allegations
Thousands of protesters in support of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The demonstrators, comprising men and women mainly from Kogi Central Senatorial District, were led by Victor Giwa, one of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers. Carrying placards, banners, and a national flag, they demanded an unbiased probe into the senator’s allegations.
The protesters specifically urged the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions to recuse itself from investigating the matter, arguing that the committee, whose members were appointed by Akpabio, could not ensure a fair hearing.
“A man cannot be a judge in his own case,” they chanted, insisting that Akpabio should step down as Senate President to allow for an impartial investigation.
During the protest, Victor Giwa revealed that his law firm had secured a court injunction halting the Senate Committee on Ethics from proceeding with the case.
According to Giwa, the committee’s lack of neutrality would compromise justice. “The chairman and members of the committee were appointed by Akpabio. How can they be expected to act without bias?” he questioned.
Security operatives were heavily deployed at the National Assembly gate to manage the protest and prevent any possible escalation.
The situation at the National Assembly underscored the deepening tension surrounding the allegations, as both legal and political battles continue to unfold.
