The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions (SCEPPP) is set to hear testimonies from Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi Central lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment.
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This was confirmed by the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday.
According to Nwebonyi, other senators who were present at the time of the alleged incident will also testify before the committee.
“All the parties involved will appear before the committee, including the Senate President. He will testify, and his testimony will be recorded, just like that of other senators,” Nwebonyi stated.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that Akpabio sexually harassed her during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in December 2023. She claimed that during the visit, the Senate President held her hand, led her around his house, and made inappropriate advances—even in the presence of her husband.
The allegations have sparked controversy within the Senate and beyond.
However, Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, dismissed the claims, suggesting they were an attempt to divert attention. He insisted there was no credible evidence to support the accusations.
“In criminal prosecution, there is what we call prima facie evidence—evidence on the surface. If there is no prima facie evidence, then there is no case,” Nwebonyi argued.
He further claimed that multiple senators were present at the time of the alleged incident and that their testimonies would disprove Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims.
“On the alleged date of the incident, many senators were there. I am one of the star witnesses, and I will come and tell the world what I saw,” he added.
The controversy escalated when the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing violations of Senate rules, shortly after she submitted a petition against Akpabio for sexual harassment and other allegations. Akpabio has vehemently denied the claims.
Refusing to remain silent, Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to the global stage. On Tuesday, she addressed the Women in Parliament session at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting held at the United Nations in New York.
“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio,” she told the gathering.
She expressed disappointment that the Senate failed to handle the matter fairly.
“I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself, and both of us would submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended,” she stated.
She also described her suspension as part of a broader issue of gender exclusion in Nigerian politics.
“My suspension is not just about me. It’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria.”
Senate President Akpabio has strongly refuted the allegations, maintaining his innocence and urging the public not to jump to conclusions.
“At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria,” he stated.
Acknowledging the intense public scrutiny and the growing discourse on social media, Akpabio called for restraint.
“I have been inundated with calls on the matter since February 25. I am aware of the growing discussions on social media, but I urge Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from making conclusions.”
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