The Senate has dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which she alleged sexual harassment.
At a probe session on Wednesday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), ruled the petition “dead on arrival,” citing a violation of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
According to Imasuen, “The petitioner personally signed the document instead of having it endorsed by another individual, which is against Senate rules.”
He further stated that the issues raised in the petition were already in court, making them sub judice.
Despite being scheduled to appear before the probe panel at 2:00 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to show up.
The session did not commence until 2:58 PM, after waiting for her and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained absent.
The petition stemmed from a controversy two weeks ago when Akpoti-Uduaghan confronted Akpabio during plenary over the reassignment of her seat. The Senate President later referred the matter to the Ethics Committee for investigation, directing it to report back within two weeks.
During deliberations, Adaramodu argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public confrontation with Akpabio had tarnished the Senate’s image. He also cited her interview with Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, where she reiterated her allegations.
Following these discussions, the Senate dismissed the petition, upholding the committee’s ruling that it lacked procedural validity.
