Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition bordering on sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio suffered defeat due to what is known as ‘‘procedural violations.’’
Apart from the Senate rejecting the sexual harassment petition, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions dismissed Senator Natasha’s petition against Senator Akpabio, declaring it “dead on arrival”.
At the beginning of Wednesday’s plenary, she stood up, stating that she had a petition, read it aloud, and submitted it, which Akpabio accepted.
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However, a heated session ensued when Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Munguno, citing Order 40(4), argued that Senate rules must be strictly adhered to, warning that any deviation could lead to “chaos and anarchy.”
He insisted that the Senate must “stamp its feet in defense of its rules,” emphasizing that no matter pending before a court of law should be deliberated upon by the Senate, as it would be deemed sub judice.
Munguno further pointed out that Senate rules prohibit any senator from presenting a petition personally signed by themselves, stating, “Senator Natasha had signed her own petition, rendering it procedurally invalid.”
However, Senator Natasha Akpoti pushed back, arguing that her case before the court was not related to sexual harassment but rather to malicious comments about her dressing.
Despite being asked to halt, she invoked Order 10, which permits any senator to rise and speak at any time, insisting that her petition should be accepted and treated.
In an attempt to restore order, former Senate Leader Abdullahi Adamu argued that since Senate President Akpabio had already ruled on the matter, the petition should proceed to the Ethics Committee for review. He said, “When the issue gets to the committee, the chairman will uphold all the rules.”
This stance sparked mixed reactions, leading to a flurry of points of order and a brief commotion in the chamber.
Weighing in on the matter, the Senate Leader reaffirmed that no senator can author or sign their own petition, stressing that the Senate must uphold its rules to avoid setting a dangerous precedent.
He further noted that “the Senate President’s wife had already taken legal action on the matter, reinforcing the argument that the issue was already before the courts and therefore could not be entertained by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.”
Bamidele said, “Mr. President, I sympathize with you as a man being accused of sexual harassment.
“We are guided by three things: The Constitution, the Rule Book, and… Mr. President, we are not guided by emotions. You were being emotional, that was why you took that petition.
“We must be guided by our Rule Book.”
Responding to Bamidele’s comment, Akpabio explained that he had allowed the petition because he did not want the public—who may not understand Senate procedures—to believe that he was victimizing Natasha.
The Senate President said, “Senate Leader, I took that petition because I didn’t want the people who do not understand our rule in the Senate to think that I am deliberately silencing her because I am involved.”
Amid rising tensions, the Senate Leader called for a closed-door session, but the Senate President ruled that plenary should continue.
Ultimately, the Senate upheld the argument of the Senate Leader, rejecting the petition.
Committee trashes the petition too
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions also trashed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment and abuse of office petition.
The committee on Wednesday, March 5, cited procedural violations and legal constraints
During the probe session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, explaining that Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself rather than having it endorsed by another individual, thereby rendering it procedurally invalid.
Additionally, he noted that the matters raised in the petition were already before the court, making them sub judice and beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.
Natasha Shuns Senate Committee
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent when the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct commenced its probe into her alleged refusal to comply with Senate rules.
This was as she dragged the Senate before Federal High Court, Abuja and the court granted her injunction to stop honouring the committee’s invitation.
After waiting for an hour, Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imaseun, expressed disappointment over her absence. “We waited, and unfortunately, she is not here. I hope that before we conclude this procedure, she will join us,” the lawmaker said.
He asserted that the committee was acting within its mandate, explaining that “every petition is referred to us by the entire Senate, and the committee has the authority to deliberate on such matters.
In this case, the issue was brought before us on February 25 by Senate Spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, nothing more, nothing less.”
Despite her absence, Senator Imaseun reiterated his hope that the Kogi senator would present herself before the committee before the conclusion of proceedings.
The chairman his colleague was properly notified of the meeting.
Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegation
Senator Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha.
He reacted to the allegations on Wednesday at the resumption of plenary in the Senate, after a week’s recess.
Dismissing the allegations, Senator Akpabio said, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
The Senate President, who said he had been inundated with calls on the matter since February 25, and that he was aware of the growing social media discourse, urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions and instead await the court’s decision on the matter.
However, immediately after his remarks, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a petition under Order 40, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
She requested permission to step forward and formally lay the petition before the chamber.
The Senate subsequently referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, directing it to review the matter as soon as practicable.
The Senate was hit by controversy in February when a seat rearrangement escalated into a confrontation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President.
The dispute over the seat has sparked tensions within the Senate, leading to the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and raising fresh concerns about decorum and conduct within the legislative body.
After taking her place in her newly assigned seat, she, however, refused to stand upon the arrival of Akpabio for the commencement of plenary, a deviation from the customary show of respect for the presiding officer.
