● Rowdy session as Senate President denies sexual harassment allegations
● Court halts disciplinary action against Kogi Central senator
● Ethics committee dismisses Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition over procedural breaches
● ‘Fasuyi did not link Fayemi to allegations of sexual misconduct’
A group, Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders, has disowned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her alleged unprovoked attacks on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, apologising to Akpabio on behalf of the people of Kogi Central and warning that they may initiate a recall process against her if such actions continue.
The group condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s stance, describing her actions as uncharacteristic of Kogi Central’s values. “We are known for showing gratitude, loyalty, and fidelity to friendship. We therefore condemn her utterances and actions against Akpabio, which do not represent us,” the group said.
The stakeholders further urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to focus on her legislative duties and cease all actions undermining the Senate’s harmony. They called on the Senate to continue disciplinary measures and warned that any further misstep might compel them to commence a recall process.
In an open letter, the stakeholders, led by their convener AbdulRaheem Adeku, highlighted the cordial relationship between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family. It recalled Akpabio’s role in her political journey and personal life.
Adeku noted that Akpabio supported Akpoti-Uduaghan’s emergence as a senator, even during her legal battles, and attended her wedding to Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, a longtime friend.
The group lamented that a compliance issue in the Senate had escalated into what it described as a public smear campaign against Akpabio.
“The National Assembly operates under established rules, and we regret that a matter of simple compliance has degenerated into unwarranted attacks on the Senate President,” the letter read.
Adeku praised Akpabio’s support for Akpoti-Uduaghan, including his nomination of Senator Abubakar Ohere as chairman of the Committee on Local Content, which ultimately paved the way for Akpoti-Uduaghan to occupy the position after her court victory. He also highlighted the senator’s access to key empowerment programmes due to her relationship with the Senate leadership.
This came as the Senate yesterday commenced an investigation into the sexual harassment allegation levelled against Akpabio in the presence of visiting members of the United Kingdom’s Parliament.
The proceedings unfolded amid rowdiness and were closely observed by the UK delegation led by MP Kate Osamor of Edmonton & Winchmore Hill. Other members of the delegation included Rt. Hon. David Mundell, MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale; Dame Karen Buck, MP for Westminster North; Lord Jonathan Oates of the House of Lords; Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West; and Rt. Hon Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, among others.
Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition during the plenary, calling for an investigation into her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio. In response, Akpabio directed that the petition be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
However, the decision sparked a heated debate among senators. Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Rules, arguing that the petition should not be accepted as the matter was already before the courts. He also noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan violated Senate rules by personally signing her petition.
Former Senate Majority Leader Abubakar Abdullahi countered, stating that since the petition had been accepted, the committee should be allowed to handle it objectively.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele expressed dissatisfaction with how Akpabio handled the proceedings, accusing him of letting emotions influence his decisions. He also argued that the petition should not have been accepted due to “obvious flaws.”
During the session, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of attempting to suppress her fundamental rights and privileges. She raised Order 10 of the Senate rules, alleging that the Senate President was mobilising senators to block her from presenting her petition.
In his defence, Akpabio denied the allegations, describing them as baseless. “At no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment. This is a total lie,” he stated, emphasising his respect for women and highlighting awards he had received as a gender-friendly leader.
Akpabio also urged the media and Nigerians to avoid jumping to conclusions, saying, “I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media, to await the court’s decision on the matter. Do not jump to conclusions over mere allegations.”
HOWEVER, the Senate Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee declined to entertain Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition, citing procedural violations and legal constraints.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, explained that the petition was inadmissible under Order 40(4) of the Senate Rule Book, which stipulates that a senator cannot present a petition signed by themselves. Instead, it must be submitted through another senator. This fundamental breach rendered the petition invalid from the outset.
The committee further stated that the allegations in the petition are currently subject to judicial review, which disqualifies the matter from legislative consideration under Senate protocols. Parliamentary norms prohibit deliberation on issues pending before the courts to prevent interference with judicial proceedings.
A legal notice from M.J. Numa and Partners had also attempted to restrain the committee from deliberating on the petition. However, the committee emphasised that the principle of separation of powers grants the Senate autonomy to manage its internal affairs. The petition, therefore, was dismissed solely on procedural grounds.
Senator Imasuen reassured that the committee would continue to evaluate other petitions brought before it and report its findings to the full Senate. He reiterated the importance of maintaining order and following procedural guidelines to ensure smooth legislative proceedings.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was notably absent at the committee’s session. Senator Imasuen noted that her presence was expected, especially since the matter had been announced during the plenary, when she was in attendance. He suggested that her absence might have been influenced by advice from her legal team.
Describing the situation as unfortunate, the committee stressed its commitment to upholding Senate regulations and decorum. It assured that any final recommendations would align with the Senate’s rules and the testimonies presented.
In a twist, the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order on Tuesday after hearing an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, comprising Sanusi Musa, M. J. Numa, Y. M. Zakari, B. J. Tabai, Tijanni Jimol, and M. C. Bekee.
The senator, who represents Kogi Central, was summoned before the committee following a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the February 20 plenary session.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had protested her seating arrangement in the chamber, repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled. Consequently, the Senate referred her case to the ethics committee for review.
In a February 28 interview with Arise TV, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed her issues in the Senate stemmed from rejecting alleged advances from Akpabio.
In her court application, the senator requested that any action taken by the committee while her suit is pending be declared “null, void, and of no effect.”
She also sought permission for substituted service of court documents on the defendants, including the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and the chairman of the ethics committee.
Justice Egwuatu, granting an interim injunction, directed the defendants to appear within 72 hours of being served to explain why a full interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them.
The case was adjourned to March 10 for further proceedings.
This came as supporters of Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio clashed at the National Assembly yesterday.
The demonstrations began when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, including civil society groups and concerned citizens, gathered at the National Assembly entrance, calling for Akpabio’s resignation.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Akpabio must go” and “We stand with Senator Natasha,” they demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Tensions heightened when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the scene to cheers from her supporters, who intensified their calls for justice.
In a counter-protest, Akpabio’s supporters, operating under the banner of United Women for Good Governance, staged a demonstration in defence of the Senate President.
They carried placards with messages such as “Apologise to the Senate President” and “We say no to Natasha’s serial blackmailing,” insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan retract her accusations. The group argued that Akpabio had always regarded Akpoti-Uduaghan as “a daughter and friend.”
Security operatives at the National Assembly Arcade intervened earlier to disperse Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters using tear gas. Undeterred, the protesters regrouped at the Unity Fountain, continuing their demonstration.
In a related development, the Fayemi Media Office refuted a report by The Cable alleging that Senator Cyril Fasuyi claimed during a Senate plenary that Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, of sexual harassment.
In a statement signed by Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, Head of the Fayemi Media Office in Abuja, and dated March 5, 2025, the office described the report as inaccurate and a misrepresentation of Fasuyi’s comments.
The statement clarified that during the plenary, Fasuyi referenced past false and defamatory claims allegedly made by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Fayemi when he served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development. According to the senator, these claims were related to the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
“At no point did Senator Fasuyi link Dr Fayemi to any allegations of sexual misconduct by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” the statement read. “We are therefore at a loss as to how The Cable arrived at such a grave and unfounded assertion.”
The Fayemi Media Office reiterated that neither Akpoti-Uduaghan nor anyone else has ever accused Fayemi of sexual misconduct. It emphasised that Fayemi has consistently upheld the highest standards of integrity in his public service career and rejected any attempt to associate him with baseless allegations.
The statement further noted that Fayemi has no interest in being drawn into the ongoing controversy in the Senate. It added that his past interactions with Akpoti-Uduaghan were strictly professional and rooted in policy differences, not personal disputes.
“There is absolutely no basis for any claim that Dr Fayemi intends to submit a petition to the Senate on this matter,” Sajoh said.
The media office also urged journalists to adhere to ethical standards by verifying facts before publication. It warned that sensationalism and the spread of misleading narratives damage reputations and erode public trust in the media.
