The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Committee, announced the dismissal during a probe hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday. Imasuen described the petition as “dead on arrival,” citing a violation of Senate Order 40. Specifically, the petition was invalid because it was signed by Akpoti-Uduaghan herself rather than by another individual, which is required by the Senate’s procedural rules.
Imasuen further explained that the issues raised in the petition were already in court, making the matter subjudice and not eligible for Senate review. “The petition she presented today is actually dead on arrival,” he said. “It runs contrary to Order 40, Subsection 4, which states that no senator may present a petition signed by him or herself.”
Despite the scheduled sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan did not attend the session. The meeting, which was planned for 2 p.m., was delayed until 2:58 p.m. when Imasuen arrived, after both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu failed to appear on time. While Adaramodu arrived at 2:50 p.m., Akpoti-Uduaghan remained absent.
Earlier that day, Akpoti-Uduaghan had presented a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio during the Senate plenary. Akpabio, however, quickly rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless.” He stated, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised by my late single mother and have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”