The Nigerian Senate ruled that a Sexual Harassment suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti, was “dead on arrival” and violated Senate Standing Rules. During a December 2023 visit to his home, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making sexual attempts towards her and allegedly implying that she “make him happy” in exchange for legislative support. By highlighting his regard for women and his track record of gender-friendly leadership, Akpabio refuted the accusations. Because Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself rather than having another senator present it, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions rejected it, alleging procedural infractions.
A comparable matter was already pending in court, thus the committee declined to consider the petition. According to reports, the senator skipped the committee meeting at the counsel of her solicitors. The Senate was barred from disciplining Akpoti-Uduaghan by a judgement from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which also granted the National Assembly a 72-hour window to defend its decision. At the National Assembly, protests erupted calling for Akpabio’s resignation, and a faction from Kogi Central disassociated itself from Akpoti-Uduaghan, denouncing her actions and their impact on the Senate’s standing.
She asserts that Akpabio blocked her parliamentary motions.
Following a string of alleged occurrences and actions that she believed to be retaliatory, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan decided to launch a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to reports, the first event happened on December 8, 2023, while people were visiting Akpabio’s home in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Even when her husband was around, Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that Akpabio made unwanted approaches towards her. She also asserts that Akpabio blocked her parliamentary motions, especially those pertaining to the Ajaokuta Steel Company Corruption investigations, after she rejected their approaches.
After Akpoti-Uduaghan objected to a rearranged Senate seat allocation in February 2025, the conflict between her and Akpabio intensified. This reassignment, she argues, was a part of a larger pattern of victimisation after she turned down his alleged advances. A formal petition charging Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office was filed with the Senate by Akpoti-Uduaghan in reaction to these incidents. On the grounds of procedural infractions, the Senate denied her petition. Senate Standing Orders provide that a petition must be submitted by another senator; a senator cannot have their own signature on it. The Senate declared her petition procedurally inadmissible since Akpoti-Uduaghan had already filed a related case in court.
VIEW has denounced Akpabio’s treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Diverse legal professionals have expressed differing opinions regarding the court’s involvement. Some contend that, particularly when it comes to issues involving individual rights, the judge has the jurisdiction to stop legislative bodies from going beyond their constitutional bounds. Others stress the significance of upholding the separation of powers and warn against judicial encroachment into legislative matters. The judiciary’s responsibility in ensuring that legislative procedures comply with constitutional requirements is highlighted by the court’s order for the Senate to provide a 72-hour justification for its actions.
Various society segments have responded differently to the charges. Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), a women’s rights organisation, has denounced Akpabio’s treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan, arguing that it is a sign of systematic gender-based intimidation in Nigerian politics. They contend that such measures stifle the voices of women in leadership roles and demand a more welcoming and civil political atmosphere. Legal professionals stress the importance of upholding the Rule of Law and due process.
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They emphasise that the accused and the accuser should both have fair hearings and that any errors in procedure could jeopardise the effort to bring about justice. Political observers point out that this occurrence is a reflection of larger problems in Nigerian politics, such as gender dynamics, accountability, and the interaction of many departments of government. Because of suspected professional retaliation and alleged personal wrongdoing, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a petition against Akpabio. The episode has generated a lot of discussion among legal experts, political analysts, and women’s rights activists, which reflects its complex ramifications for Nigerian society.