Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District submitted a full text of a formal petition directed against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and malicious obstruction of her legislative functions.
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The petition was submitted to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges & Public Petitions on March 4, 2025.
The senator has sought urgent redress, calling for a thorough investigation of the misconduct she alleges was perpetrated by the Senate President. The petition, which underscores her commitment to justice, fairness, and the integrity of the National Assembly, outlines serious charges against Senator Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that his actions, which she argues stem from personal vendettas, have severely impacted her ability to effectively represent her constituency and the nation.
The petition highlights two specific incidents of sexual harassment that Akpoti-Uduaghan claims occurred during her interactions with Senator Akpabio. The first incident, she states, took place on December 8, 2023, during a visit to Akpabio’s residence in Akwa Ibom, where the Senate President allegedly made unsolicited sexual advances in the presence of her husband. The second instance, in May 2024, reportedly occurred at Akpabio’s private residence in Abuja, where he allegedly made inappropriate remarks about offering favors in exchange for a personal relationship. These actions, according to Akpoti-Uduaghan, were not only violations of her dignity but also an abuse of Akpabio’s powerful position as Senate President.
Beyond the harassment claims, the petition also details how Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legitimate legislative activities were obstructed. She asserts that after rejecting Akpabio’s advances, he retaliated by blocking her attempts to raise critical national issues, such as the Ajaokuta Steel Company motion, which she says was deliberately sidelined by the Senate leadership. Furthermore, Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that Akpabio orchestrated her removal as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content in February 2025, just as an important Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project was proposed in Kogi State.
In her petition, Akpoti-Uduaghan points to a documented history of similar misconduct by Akpabio, citing a 2020 sexual harassment accusation made by Dr. Joi Nunieh, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as part of a pattern of inappropriate behavior towards women. She also references Akpabio’s derogatory public comments against her, which included calling her a “night club girl” during a Senate debate.
The senator underscores the legal consequences of Akpabio’s actions, referencing the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015, which criminalizes sexual harassment, and calling for a thorough investigation into what she deems abuse of office and gross misconduct by the Senate President.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally requested that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges & Public Petitions investigate the matter and take appropriate action. She hopes that this petition will uphold the principles of equity, propriety, and justice within the legislative process.
In her concluding remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan reiterated her commitment to fighting for the rights and dignity of women in the National Assembly and urged the Senate to address these grave allegations with the seriousness they deserve.
Finally Released!!! Full text of the letter Sen. Natasha sent to the Senate.
THE SENATE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Sen. (Barr.) Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan CHAIRMAN: COMMITTEE ON DIASPORA AND NGOs VICE CHAIRMAN: COMMITTEE ON STEEL KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT, SENATOR OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
4th March 2025
The Chairman Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges & Public Petitions 10th Senate of the National Assembly Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dear Sir,
PETITION AGAINST SENATOR GODSWILL AKPABIO FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT, ABUSE OF OFFICE, AND MALICIOUS OBSTRUCTION OF MY LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS
1.0. PREAMBLE 1.1. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as the Petitioner), do hereby respectfully submit this formal petition requesting the distinguished redress on the matter outlined. 1.2. This Petition is directed against Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as the Respondent). 1.3. This petition is presented in the interest of justice, fairness, and the integrity of the National Assembly, to address matters that have transpired under the office of the Senate President, which I believe have not aligned with the principles of equity, propriety, and the rules of the Senate. As a senator who holds a solemn responsibility to my constituency, I find it necessary to seek the intervention of the Senate in this matter, with the expectation that appropriate measures will be taken to uphold the rule of law and the dignity of the legislative process.
2.0. GROUNDS FOR THE PETITION
2.1. The grounds of this petition summarised as follows: i. Reprehensible acts of sexual harassment by the Respondent, which have impaired my ability to effectively provide quality representation. ii. Abuse of power, intimidation, and deliberate obstruction of legislative efforts aimed at national development.
2.2. I will succinctly present particular pieces of material evidence to the leave of the Committee to demonstrate the validity of these allegations, through written (and if necessary sworn affidavits and oral witness(es)) testimony either by Committee, under subpoena, as well as evidence before the Committee, and patterns of events consistent with the allegations demonstrating malice.
2.3. The Petitioner respectfully invites this distinguished Committee to consider, as you have always done, to preserve the dispassionately the propriety, or otherwise, of this petition integrity of this institution and its role in national development.
3.0. MATERIAL BACKGROUND FACTS
3.0 Following the decision of the Court of Appeal as delivered on the 31st October, 2023, affirming my election as the duly elected Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, I was formally sworn into office and took the oath of office and allegiance to represent the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and the nation at large on the 2nd of November, 2023.
3.1 However, my commitment to fulfilling this responsibility, as outlined in my manifesto, has been met with significant challenges, particularly from the Respondent, the Chief Presiding Officer of the 10th Senate, on purely malicious grounds. These actions are not unconnected to the ordinary course of his leadership role, and stem from personal vendetta arising from my refusal to yield to his personal demands. The inappropriateness of this interference in my functions has compelled me to formally lodge this complaint, seeking a thorough investigation by the Committee.
4.0. PARTICULARS OF GROUNDS.
4.1. SEXUAL HARASSMENT.
4.1.1 Inappropriate Conduct During My Visit to Akwa Ibom. On or about the 8th of December 2023, I, in the company of my husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, visited the residence of the Respondent in Akwa Ibom State. This visit was undertaken in good faith, within the bounds of mutual legislative engagement and national interest. However, in an utterly disgraceful manner, the Respondent made unsolicited and inappropriate sexual advances towards me, even when my husband was around the vicinity which I considered very disrespectful.
4.1.3 The Respondent suggested that I make time to “spend quality moments” with him at his residence, attempting to lure me into an inappropriate and unethical relationship. This unsolicited advance was not only an assault on my dignity but also a gross abuse of the Respondent’s office as President of the Senate.
4.2 Inappropriate Conduct in May 2024 at His Private Residence.
4.2.1 In May 2024, the Respondent invited me to his private guest house at 53 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, Abuja, under the pretext of discussing work-related matters, which is not uncommon. This invitation came after 7pm, and I obtained permission from my husband, who was abroad at the time.
4.2.2 Upon arrival, the Respondent made inappropriate remarks, saying: “You know I am the Senate President; I will give you whatever you want, all you have to do is make me happy”
4.2.3 I was astounded and deeply embarrassed by this comment, especially given my husband’s relationship with the Senate President. After I rejected these advances, the Respondent retaliated by launching a campaign of suppression and intimidation. A key example of this was his refusal to allow me to present a motion on the critical subject of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, despite my repeated attempts to bring it before the Senate. The motion was listed in the Order Paper several times but was not permitted to proceed, which I reasonably believe was due to my rejection of the Respondent’s entreaties.
4.2.4 I was advised by several colleagues to approach the Respondent privately. Though initially hesitant, I eventually confronted him respectfully in his office, seeking an explanation for the continuous obstruction of my parliamentary duties, particularly regarding the Ajaokuta Steel Company. The Respondent’s response was again alarming: “Senator Natasha, you can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy”
4.2.5 This statement, laden with coercion and quid pro quo implications, constitutes nothing less than sexual harassment, abuse of office, and gross misconduct in the highest legislative chamber of our nation.
4.2.6 I reported this incident to my husband and sought his help in addressing the issue with the Respondent, given their relationship.
4.2.7 Inappropriate Comments on the Senate Floor
4.2.8 During a debate in the Senate, the Respondent maliciously addressed me inappropriately, referring to me as a night club Girl, intending to denigrate my image. His apology, after the intervention of concerned Nigerians, was an attempt to quell public outrage.
4.2.10 After this apology in July 2024, the Respondent orchestrated several means of undermining my efforts to contribute meaningfully to the business of the Senate, by giving directive to the Committee on rules and business from listing my motions on the order paper, deliberately refusing to recognize me to participate in debates before the floor of the house on several occasion since July, 2024.
4.2.11 I am convinced that these comments and incidents are directly linked to the Respondent’s attempt to coerce me into an inappropriate sexual relationship. My refusal to acquiesce with his advances has, in turn, prompted his abuse of power as Senate President, obstructing my efforts to provide effective representation for my constituents and the nation.
4.2.12 Abuse of Office/Malice.
4.2.13 On the 30th of January 2025, an executive order was issued by the President for the establishment of five mini-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
4.2.14 As the Senator representing Kogi Central and former Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content, there was an erroneous assumption that this project fell under my purview. As a result, on the 4th of February 2025, the Respondent abruptly removed me as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content without any form of explanation, limiting my involvement in the LNG project.
4.2.15 The Respondent further launched a media campaign against the LNG project, advocating for its relocation to the Niger Delta, despite the fact that Kogi State is the only state in Nigeria connected to gas pipelines from the North.
4.2.16 The Events of 20th February 2025 in the Senate Plenary.
4.2.17 On this date, the Respondent, in a display of pure malice, refused to allow me to respond to a point of order raised against my conduct, calling on the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove me from the Senate and summarily suspending me. This action was a manifestation of the Respondent’s personal vendetta against me.
4.2.18 The Senate Chief Whip had made a specific allegation against me, claiming “flagrant disregard” of the Senate President’s directive on change of seat which I had no prior notice of. However, the Respondent deliberately denied me an opportunity to respond, despite my invocation of privilege under the Senate Standing Orders.
5.0. PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT
5.1 The Respondent has a documented history of similar misconduct towards women. A notable instance is the accusation by Dr. Joi Nunieh, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who publicly accused the Respondent of sexual harassment in 2020. She recounted an incident where she had to physically defend herself against his inappropriate advances.
5.2 These allegations were widely reported in reputable media outlets including Pulse Nigeria.
5.3 This pattern of behaviour demonstrates a blatant disregard for the rights and dignity of women, as well as an abuse of power. Such conduct is not only unethical but also criminal, warranting a thorough investigation and legal action.
6.0. LEGAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS
6.1 The Respondent’s actions constitute grave violations of Nigerian laws, including:
i. Sexual Harassment – As defined under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.
ii. Abuse of Office – Abuse of public office for personal gain.
iii. Gross Misconduct – Violations of the constitutional oath of office and ethical standards expected of public servants.
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