Why We ‘Threw Out’ Natasha’s Fresh Petition Against Akpabio — Senate

The head of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Neda Imaseun, has clarified the reasons behind the dismissal of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by the committee.

At a session held on Tuesday, March 25, the committee announced that the sexual harassment matter presented to it had been terminated.

Explaining the decision, Imasuen noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initial petition bore her own signature, which violates Senate regulations.

Imaseun addressed this on Tuesday while replying to a remark from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attorney, Abiola Akiode, who had alleged partiality on his part.

Previously, Akiode had requested that Imaseun relinquish his role as the committee’s chairman.

“Our intention is that, if we are going to proceed, we want the chair to please step down from this conversation to allow for fairness and justice in accordance with the constitution of this country,” Akiode said.

In response, Imaseun pointed out that the issue is already under judicial review, and the committee would refrain from intervening.

“Let me tell you, the first petition that came before us was signed by Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Contrary to our rules, you cannot sign your own petition. The petition that came before us did not even have an address. Contrary to our rules, that petition shouldn’t have been entertained.

“In any case, for the position that I can see you are taking, it means the whole senate is biased. Because the whole Senate witnessed what happened. So, I don’t know what ad-hoc committee you are going to constitute that is not aware of what has been going on.

“Learned respondent (Akpabio’s counsel) has just told us that this matter is before the law court, and I will address that by our rule book. I will address that by our rule book, order 40 (7), which says ‘senate should not receive or deliberate on any matter to which actions are pending in any court of law’. This is our rule book.

“Therefore, the petitioner said he would not speak to his petition because the committee is biased, the respondent has just told us that this case is before a competent court of law, therefore, this committee will allow the court of law, that will not be biased, to handle this matter.

“Therefore, this matter is closed here at the senate and it is adjourned sine die.”
In the meantime, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a contempt motion against Imasuen and Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding her suspension.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli