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

Sen. Natasha and Sen. Akpabio 

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has dismissed a petition alleging sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, brought forward by Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The petition, which also accused Akpabio of abuse of office and obstruction of legislative duties, was signed by Zubairu Yakubu, a self-described concerned citizen from Kogi Central. It was presented by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 5, shortly before she was controversially suspended from the Senate. The Ethics Committee, led by Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South), was tasked with reviewing the matter.

Tense Senate Hearing as Petitioner Questions Fairness

During Tuesday’s committee session, Mr Yakubu, accompanied by his legal counsel, Abiola Akiyode, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the panel but refused to proceed with his testimony, insisting that his principal witness, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, should be present.

His refusal led to a tense standoff, as he questioned the impartiality of the committee. He accused Senator Imasuen of bias, referencing earlier public comments in which the committee chairman allegedly dismissed the petition as “dead on arrival” before hearings even began.

"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 to claim that he was a principal witness for the Senate President. How then can we trust this process?" Yakubu asked.

After prolonged exchanges, the Senate dismissed the petition, citing the fact that the case was already pending in court. However, this decision triggered another round of protests from Mr Yakubu, who questioned why he had been invited if the committee was already aware of the court proceedings.

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

His legal counsel, Mrs Akiyode, also criticized the Senate’s handling of the petition, accusing it of 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? This clearly shows inconsistency and a lack of due process,” she argued.

Ezekwesili, Nwebonyi in Heated Exchange

Ezekwesili and Sen. Nwebonyi 

As tensions continued to rise, an argument erupted between Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) and Mrs Ezekwesili after she criticized the Senate’s handling of the petition.

The confrontation escalated when Mrs Ezekwesili, in frustration, told Senator Nwebonyi to “shut up”, prompting a furious response from the lawmaker.

"Why should you talk to a senator like that? You can never be a senator. You are an insult to womanhood," Senator Nwebonyi fired back.

The heated exchange briefly disrupted the proceedings before the committee adjourned indefinitely.

Ezekwesili: Senate Must Uphold Constitutional Rights

Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Mrs Ezekwesili accused the Senate of prioritizing its internal rules over the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been denied a fair hearing.

“The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy,” she said.

She further argued that the Senate’s actions set a dangerous precedent, where legislative procedures could be manipulated to suppress accountability.

"The Senate placed its own rules above the laws of the land. Now, with this petitioner, they have done the same thing—using procedural loopholes to avoid addressing critical issues."

Calls for an Independent Investigation

Mrs Ezekwesili called for an independent panel to review the allegations, arguing that the Senate’s internal committee had compromised public trust in its ability to handle sensitive matters fairly.

“If a petitioner says they do not believe the Senate committee will give them a fair hearing due to clear bias, it is only just that an independent body reviews the matter,” she asserted.

She warned that allowing internal rules to override constitutional rights could weaken democratic governance and silence legitimate concerns.

“The Senate must respect the Constitution. Otherwise, we risk turning our democracy into a system where internal rules are weaponized to shield those in power from accountability,” Mrs Ezekwesili stated.

What Happens Next?

With the petition now dismissed by the Senate, attention shifts to the court proceedings, where the matter may be further litigated. However, the dramatic confrontations during Tuesday’s hearing have reignited public debate on legislative transparency, accountability, and due process in Nigeria’s upper chamber.