Amnesty International Wants Allegations Against Akpabio Probed

The human rights watchdog made this demand in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) by the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Mr Isa Sanusi.

“Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to immediately institute an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio,” he said.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Kogi Central, accused Mr Akpabio of depriving her of her right to represent her people after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio.

She alleged that Mr Akpabio had been denying her the opportunity to contribute to debates and table matters affecting her constituents on the floor of the Senate.

Mr Akpabio since denied the allegations.

“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,” he said at the March 5 plenary.

The Senate later went on to suspend the lawmaker over what it described as her “unruly conduct.”

In response, Amnesty International warned that, “The weight and scale of the allegations of the sexual harassment are one more pressing reason for establishing an independent, resourceful and impartial investigation.

“The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain and are being trivialized, unaddressed and ignored.

“Blatant failure of the authorities to investigate the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will have devastating consequences, that include perpetuating a system that makes it increasingly difficult for survivors of sexual harassment to get justice, while allowing perpetrators to get away with gross human rights violations.

“This is one case that the authorities can use to show that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment – no matter who is involved.

“The fear of not being believed, or even being blamed, is already creating a dangerous culture of silence that prevents women who faced sexual harassment from seeking justice. The tide of sexual impunity against women and girls must be turned now,” Mr Sanusi stated.