|
Listen to article
|
Nigeria Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio reacted to the allegations on Wednesday at the resumption of plenary in the Senate, after a week’s recess.
Dismissing the allegations, Akpabio said, “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.”
However, immediately after Akpabio’s remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a petition under Order 40, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
The female lawmaker requested permission to step forward and formally lay the petition before the chamber.
The Senate, eventually referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, directing it to review the matter as soon as practicable.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment and abuse of office petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring it “dead on arrival”.
The committee on Wednesday cited procedural violations and legal constraints
During the probe session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, explaining that Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself rather than having it endorsed by another individual, thereby rendering it procedurally invalid.
Additionally, he noted that the matters raised in the petition were already before the court, making them sub judice and beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Akpabio has denied the sexual harassment allegations against him by the Kogi lawmaker.
