The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has rejected the sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During a probe hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, declared the petition “dead on arrival,” citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders. According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s failure to have the petition endorsed by another individual, as required by Senate procedure, rendered it invalid. Instead, she had signed the petition herself, which contravened the proper process.
Imasuen also pointed out that the matters raised in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition were already before the courts, making them sub judice, and thus outside the Committee’s scope for investigation.
In addition to the procedural concerns, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s absence from the scheduled probe session further complicated the hearing. While the session was set to begin at 2 pm, it did not commence until 2:58 pm, with Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate spokesman, arriving at 2:50 pm. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan was notably absent, failing to attend the hearing despite the committee’s proceedings continuing without her.
The dismissal of the petition marks another development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Senator and Senate leadership.
