Renowned legal luminary, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has raised concerns over what he described as âsignificant inconsistenciesâ in the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Agbakoba, who spoke at an elaborate press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, April 15, added that the allegation, âas it currently stands, falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.â
TimesNow.com.ng reports that on March 6, 2025, the Senate suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for six months for breaching the Senate rules following her conduct in the chamber on February 20 over a sitting arrangement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had made sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She also alleged abuse of office and obstruction of legislative duties by the senate president.
Embattled Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition to the Senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions, but it was dismissed.
Speaking on the matter, Agbakoba said while individuals should feel safe to speak up in an ideal society, the principles of justice, which required evidence and fairness must be upheld.
The renowned lawyer who is also Akpabioâs lawyer, wrote a letter to the Kogi senator, on the instruction of the Senate President, asking her to clarify the contradictions in her allegations, which were published widely in local and international newspapers.
The former NBA president also mentioned previous allegations against Reno Omokri and an unnamed minister, noting that, though each allegation must be evaluated independently, the suspended Senatorâs pattern required careful consideration.
The Nation and Vanguard confirmed the development in their reportage on Tuesday.
Read more about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan here:
Meanwhile, rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has advised Senate President Godswill Akpabio to seek legal redress instead of involving the police over defamation claims against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio had petitioned the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, after Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged during a rally that he instructed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her.
Falana criticised Akpabioâs move and described it as an attempt to criminalise a politically motivated civil dispute.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
