Suspended Nigerian senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has rejected any possibility of settling her sexual harassment case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio outside the courtroom. Instead, she insists the case must be resolved through a full legal process.
The senator, who represents Kogi Central, has filed a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio, maintaining that justice must be pursued in the open rather than behind closed doors.
Background of the Allegation
Senator Natasha alleges that on December 8, 2023, during a visit to Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he made inappropriate advances and suggested she “make him happy” in exchange for smoother legislative proceedings. These claims were later submitted as a formal petition to the Senate.
However, the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee dismissed the petition, citing procedural irregularities—specifically, that Natasha signed the petition herself, which they said violated Senate rules.
Following the dismissal, she was suspended from the Senate for six months, although the suspension was officially tied to unrelated misconduct.
A Legal and Public Battle
In response, Natasha is not only pursuing her defamation case in court but has also taken her complaint to the United Nations, claiming that her suspension and treatment reflect wider issues of injustice and gender inequality in Nigerian politics.
The case has sparked nationwide protests and support from women’s rights groups under the banner “We Are All Natasha.”
Akpabio’s Denial and His Wife’s Countersuit
Senate President Akpabio has denied the sexual harassment claims, calling them false and politically motivated.
In a surprising twist, Unoma Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife, has filed two separate lawsuits against Natasha, accusing her of defamation and demanding ₦250 billion in damages.
Conclusion
The legal and political battle between Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio is far from over. With court proceedings underway and international attention rising, this case may become a major turning point in the fight against sexual harassment and gender-based injustice in Nigerian politics.
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My distinguished fearless senator