Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has formally petitioned the Senate over the sexual harassment claims she made against Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President.

The Kogi senator referenced some comments she made on an Arise TV programme bordering on alleged sexual harassment by Akpabio on Friday, saying she had decided to table same in form of a petition before the Senate.

She did this by rising under Order 40 of the Senate Rules. Akpabio himself asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to proceed with the submission of the petition and she did.

READ ALSO: Akpoti Accuses Akpabio of Making Repeated Suggestive Remarks to Her

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 possible.

Prior to the submission of the petition, Akpabio had dismissed the accusations at the beginning of Wednesday’s plenary.

“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,” said the Senate President.

READ ALSO: Akpabio’s ‘Take Her Out’ Order, Akpoti’s Claims Reveal Senate President’s Bullying Behaviour

He added that he was aware of the growing social media discourse and urged Nigerians, the media and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions. He then said they should instead await the court’s decision on the matter.

The rift between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President began after the Kogi senator refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session in late February, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.

While this went on, Akpoti-Uduaghan resorted to filing a defamation lawsuit against the senate president, seeking N100 billion in damages and an additional N300 million in litigation costs over a Facebook post made by Akpabio’s senior legislative aide.

READ ALSO: Enugu Policemen Grabbed Radiographer Off Road, Christened Him ‘Yahoo Boy’ to Steal His N551,500

There was increasing tension when the member of the Senate again appeared on Arise News on Friday, accusing Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her after she rejected his sexual advances.

On March 1, Ekaette, Akpabio’s wife, filed two defamation lawsuits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding N350 billion from her for damaging her husband’s reputation.
The post UPDATED: Akpoti-Uduaghan Petitions Senate on ‘Sexual Harassment’ Claims appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.