The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During a probe hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, declared that the petition was “dead on arrival”, citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another individual, rendering it procedurally invalid.
Meanwhile the Senate President Godswill Akpabio has strongly denied allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that he has always upheld respect for women,
Speaking at the resumption of plenary on Wednesday, after a week-long recess, Akpabio dismissed the claims, describing them as unfounded and baseless.
“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 stated.
Akpabio further revealed that since February 25, he had been inundated with calls regarding the allegation, adding that he was aware of the heated discussions on social media.
He, however, urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to avoid jumping to conclusions and instead allow due process to take its course in court.