The Nigerian Senate has stated that it will not be investigating the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as no official complaint has been submitted.
Speaking on Sunday, the Senate spokesperson, Adeyemi Adaramodu, clarified that there is no formal petition before the legislative body regarding the accusations.
This comes amid growing calls for an open investigation, including a demand from the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged on a national television program that she was being victimized by Akpabio because she rejected his sexual advances. In response, Akpabio’s wife, Nnoma, denied the allegations and has filed a N250 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Addressing the issue, Adaramodu explained that the Senate does not act on media reports or social media claims.
“There is no official complaint about sexual harassment before the Senate from Senator Natasha or anyone else. The Senate does not pick up allegations from television or social media,” he stated.
He further explained that the only matter currently being reviewed by the Senate Ethics Committee concerns a breach of Senate Standing Orders, which led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s disciplinary referral.
“There is nothing beyond that for now,” he added. “If any official complaint is submitted, it will be handled accordingly. But at this moment, no such complaint has been made.”
In a similar response, Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, said that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not raised the sexual harassment allegation within the Senate or included it in any legal documents filed in court.
“For instance, she has taken the matter to court, but nowhere in her statement of claims does she mention sexual harassment,” Eyiboh said.
He also noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband have had a long-standing relationship with the Akpabio family.
“They have been visiting each other for years. It is strange that she now claims she was harassed in 2023 when their families have been close for a long time,” he remarked.
Eyiboh dismissed the allegations as lacking credibility, adding that those taking them seriously are engaging in mere speculation.