Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment accusation against Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio caused uncertainty and turmoil in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday.
In order to have her petition against Akpabio accepted and forwarded to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Natasha stood up in accordance with Order 10 of the Senate Rules.
After Akpabio said earlier in his speech that he had never mistreated a woman in his life, Natasha presented her petition against the Senate President.
Through Order 40, Senator Mohammed Monguno notified the chamber of the fact that the Nigerian Senate does not have the authority to consider the case because it has already been taken to court.
Monguno argued that “the power to debate on the allegation of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio has been taken away,” citing the “Orders and Rules” that govern Senate operations.
He insisted that the court should be allowed to decide on the issue and that any attempt to discuss it would be sub judice and an insult to the court’s authority.
“Mr Senate President, distinguished colleagues, you are aware that the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Ekaete Akpabio and her family have gone to court against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan after she appeared on Arise Television on Thursday last week.
“This means this hallowed chamber cannot debate on the same matter as the xlchamber has been stopped,” he added.
Since “Rules and Order” prohibit senators from directly signing a petition against Senate leadership, Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi expressed sympathy with the Senate President for permitting the petition to be forwarded to the Committee.
READ ALSO: Akpabio Breaks Silence, Denies Natasha’s Allegations: ‘I Didn’t Harass Any Woman
“The Senate erred to have admitted the petition as it is only the constituents that could have signed and forwarded the petition.
“It appeared Akpabio didn’t want the matter to look as if he was disallowing somebody from expressing her rights and hence allowed the error to be committed.
“I move that the chamber go into closed door (session),” Opeyemi said.
