Senate erupts in chaos over Natasha’s s3xual harassment allegations against Akpabio

Senate erupts in chaos over Natasha’s sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio caused a stir in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday.

On the basis of Order 10 of the Senate Rules, Akpoti-Uduaghan moved to have her petition against Akpabio submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions and formally admitted.

This followed Akpabio’s strong denial of the accusations in his speech, in which he claimed to have never harassed a woman in his life.

The situation quickly escalated when Senator Mohammed Monguno, invoking Order 40, raised concerns that the Senate lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, given that it was already in court.

Monguno argued that the matter had been legally filed, and under the Senate’s rules, any debate on it would be subjudice, potentially undermining the court’s authority. He insisted that the Senate should allow the judiciary to handle the case without interference from the legislative chamber.

This clash between legislative protocol and the ongoing court proceedings caused significant confusion and heated exchanges within the Senate.

“Mr Senate President, distinguished colleagues, you are aware that the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Ekaete Akpabio and her family have gone to court against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan after she appeared on Arise Television on Thursday last week.

“This means this hallowed chamber cannot debate on the same matter as the xlchamber has been stopped,” he added.

Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, expressed his sympathy towards the Senate President for permitting the petition to be referred to the Committee.

He noted that the Senate’s ‘Rules and Order’ do not permit a senator to personally sign a petition against the Senate leadership.

“The Senate erred to have admitted the petition as it is only the constituents that could have signed and forwarded the petition.

“It appeared Akpabio didn’t want the matter to look as if he was disallowing somebody from expressing her rights and hence allowed the error to be committed.

“I move that the chamber go into closed door (session),” Opeyemi said.