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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, on Monday, submitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a Senate session.
Her petition came just days after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the Senate could not investigate Akpabio without a formal complaint.
Citing Order 40 of the Senate rules, Akpoti-Uduaghan referenced remarks she had made on Arise TV concerning alleged sexual harassment by Akpabio. She said she had decided to bring the same allegations before the Senate.
Presiding over the session, Akpabio allowed her to proceed with the petition’s submission before referring it to the Committee on Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Public Petitions. He instructed the committee to “revert to the Senate as soon as practicable.”
Tensions rose when Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno opposed the petition, arguing that it was subjudice and could not be entertained. Citing Order 40, Rule 7, Monguno asserted that “Senate should not receive or deliberate on any matter to which actions are pending in the court of law.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan refuted his claim, stating, “This matter is not in court. The matter in court is a defamation case against the Senate President’s special assistant on social media, Patrick Mfon, who accused me of dressing indecently to the Senate.”
Supporting Monguno’s objection, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele insisted that the petition was legally flawed. “We cannot relax our rules. This petition cannot stand. It is in court. It is defective. There is no way we can accept this petition,” Bamidele said.
He then moved for a closed session, sparking a brief rowdy exchange before order was restored.
The Senate continued with its scheduled proceedings, while Akpoti-Uduaghan walked out in protest.
