BREAKING; Probe begins as Senator Natasha resubmits sexual harassment petition against Akpabio

BREAKING; Probe begins as Senator Natasha resubmits sexual harassment petition against Akpabio

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, has once again resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session, this time on behalf of her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu.

Following the submission, Senate President Akpabio raised concerns about any legal obstacles to accepting the petition. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan assured him that there were no such impediments.

At precisely 12:38 PM, Akpabio instructed her to formally present the petition before the Senate.

The petition was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a directive to report back to the plenary within four weeks after conducting a thorough legislative review.

This new petition follows a similar one submitted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the day before, which had ignited controversy.

During the previous session, Senate Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) raised a point of order under Senate Standing Order 40, arguing that the petition could not be entertained due to an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Akpabio.

Monguno also contended that the petition was invalid because Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.

As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”

This latest development adds to the growing tensions between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio.

Last Thursday, a heated confrontation took place in the Senate chamber when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived to find her nameplate removed and her seat reassigned by Akpabio.

She immediately demanded an explanation for what she saw as an unjustified action, further intensifying the ongoing dispute.