In the wake of explosive allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, legal expert and former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani, has called for concrete evidence to substantiate the claims.
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Senator Natasha, during a recent appearance on a Arise Tv morning show, accused the Senate President of making unwelcome sexual advances toward her during an event at his residence in Abuja. She also alleged that her legislative work was obstructed and her motions deliberately blocked after she rejected his advances.
However, Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), emphasized that such serious allegations require proof. “If you make an allegation, you must provide evidence,” Ubani stated during an interview. He further questioned the timing of the accusations, noting that they emerged following a dispute over seat reallocation in the Senate chamber.
The controversy began when Senator Natasha refused to move to her newly assigned seat during a Senate session, leading to a heated confrontation. Ubani pointed out that the Senate President has the discretion to reallocate seats under Section 61 of the Senate rules, and Senator Natasha’s refusal to comply with the directive was a breach of protocol.
Ubani also highlighted the response of Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife, who vehemently denied the allegations. Mrs. Akpabio described her husband as a disciplined and respectful individual, dismissing the claims as fabricated. She recounted that the alleged incident occurred during a gathering at their home, where numerous senators and guests were present, making it unlikely for such an event to have taken place unnoticed.
“The greatest and nearest person to you in life is your spouse,” Ubani remarked, underscoring Mrs. Akpabio’s defense of her husband. He also noted that Senator Akpabio has held several high-profile positions, including governor and minister, without any prior allegations of misconduct.
Ubani stressed the importance of due process, urging Senator Natasha to formally present her grievances through the appropriate channels, such as filing a petition with the Senate or reporting the matter to the police. He also cautioned against weaponizing allegations of sexual harassment, emphasizing the need for accountability and truthfulness.
Regarding the Senate President’s next steps, Ubani stated that it is within Akpabio’s discretion to respond personally. However, he noted that the Senate President’s legal team is considering defamation proceedings against Senator Natasha if the allegations are proven false.
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