Senate Rejects Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment Petition Amid Heated Clash Between Ezekwesili and Senator

Senate Committee Dismisses Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment Petition Amid Heated Dispute

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has once again dismissed a petition filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties.

The petition, initially submitted on March 5—just minutes before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s controversial suspension—was signed by Zubairu Yakubu, a self-described concerned Nigerian citizen from Kogi Central Senatorial District. The matter was subsequently referred to the committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen of Edo South, for review.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Yakubu appeared before the committee alongside his legal counsel, Abiola Akiyode, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili. However, he refused to proceed with his testimony unless Akpoti-Uduaghan was allowed to be present at the National Assembly. He further accused the committee of bias, referencing past statements by Imasuen that reportedly described the petition as “dead on arrival.”

Yakubu expressed concerns over the fairness of the proceedings, stating, “If the chairman has already declared the petition dead before even hearing it, how can we expect fairness? One of the committee members even went on national television claiming to be a principal witness for the Senate President. How then can we trust this process?”

Following heated exchanges between committee members and Yakubu, the petition was dismissed on the grounds that the matter was already pending in court. This decision sparked further controversy, with Yakubu questioning why he had been summoned if the committee was already aware of the legal proceedings.

“If they knew the matter was in court, why did they invite me in the first place? This only confirms their bias and lack of respect for due process,” he said.

His lawyer, Akiyode, also condemned the handling of the case, criticizing the Senate’s inconsistency.

“If the committee had already dismissed Natasha’s initial petition as ‘dead on arrival,’ why did they entertain this one, only to throw it out again? It clearly shows a lack of consistency and due process,” she argued.

The development has further intensified tensions surrounding the controversial suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan and the allegations against Akpabio, raising concerns about transparency and impartiality in the Senate’s handling of the case.