Senate Reject Natasha’s Petition for Lack of Compliance to Procedural Integrity

The Senate has dismissed the alleged sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Senator Neda Imasuen (LP- Edo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, thrashed the petition for lack of compliance to the rules of the Senate on Wednesday during the Committee’s investigative session to ascertain the position of Senate Order Book 2023 as amended (red book) today at the Committee’s hearing room.

He declared the petition “dead on arrival,” citing a contradiction to Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, which stated as enshrined that a petition signed by a senator shall not be accepted by senate.

According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself, instead of having it signed by another person, rendering it procedurally invalid.

Additionally, he noted that the issues raised in the petition were already in court, making it sub judice as the Senate can not mediate on a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Despite the committee’s announcement and invitation of the scheduled sitting, Dst. Sen. Natasha  Akpoti-Uduaghan did not appear before the probe panel.

Though, the session was scheduled for 2:00 PM, did not commence hearing until 2:58 PM, almost an hour window of grace for those who may make it late, especially the main parties in the Wisdom of the committee’s chairman to wait for both the arrival of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from the beginning of the session to the end.

The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee a weeks ago following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions during a plenary session. Senate President Akpabio subsequently directed the committee to conduct a thorough investigation and report back within two weeks.

During the deliberations, Adaramodu informed the Senate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public challenge of the Senate President over her seat allocation had damaged the Senate’s image. He also referenced an interview she granted to Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, where she reiterated her allegations against Akpabio.

Following these discussions, the Senate resolved to push the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen, for further review.

The committee in it adherence to the principle of natural justice where fair hearing is given credence, adjoined the session for tomorrow to give Sen. Natasha Akpoti an opportunity to be heard.