In a move that deepens intra-Senate discord, the Senate has dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During a probe session on Wednesday, Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, declared the petition “dead on arrival.”
Imasuen cited a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had submitted the petition without the requisite endorsement from another lawmaker.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the issues raised are already before the courts and remain sub judice. The session, originally scheduled to commence at 2:00 PM, was delayed due to the absence of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while her colleague, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, arrived only slightly behind schedule.
The matter had been referred to the Ethics Committee following her controversial challenge to the Senate President during a recent plenary session.
Lawmakers expressed concerns that her public allegations have tarnished the Senate’s image, and as a result, the petition will now be examined further by the Ethics Committee for any additional procedural oversights.
