Olisa Agbakoba, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has
faulted the sexual harassment allegation levelled against Senate President
Godswill Akpabio by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi
central.
Agbakoba, counsel to the senate president, spoke on Tuesday
during a press conference in Lagos.
The senior lawyer said the sexual harassment allegation by
the lawmaker did not meet the “threshold” of proving such a claim anywhere in
the world.
BACKGROUND
On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan, in an interview on Arise
TV, alleged that the senate president made sexual advances at her in his office
and residence in Akwa Ibom.
The Kogi senator had said the sexual advances were made when
she and her husband visited Akpabio’s home in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, for the
senate president’s birthday celebration in December 2023.
But the senate president had denied the sexual harassment
allegation.
Days before the sexual harassment allegation,
Akpoti-Uduaghan was involved in an altercation with the senate president on the
floor of the upper legislative chamber over a change in seating arrangements.
The disagreement began when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was
reassigned at the start of plenary. However, she refused to comply with the
relocation.
On March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six
months over the altercation with Akpabio.
The decision followed the adoption of the report by the
senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions.
‘SERIOUS MATTERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED THROUGH PROPER
INSTITUTIONAL PROCESSES’
Speaking at the press conference, Agbakoba said he is
interested in finding out the truth pertaining to the alleged sexual
harassment.
The senior lawyer said sexual harassment is an issue that
deserves fair and careful consideration.
“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that she was sexually
harassed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on December 8,
2023,” Agbakoba said.
“However, merely one day later, on December 9, 2023, she
publicly posted favourable messages about the Senate President on both her
Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.
“In these posts, she eulogised the Senate President and
spoke highly of the birthday event she attended in Uyo, Akwa Ibom,” Agbakoba
stated.
“Sexual harassment is a serious matter that deserves careful
and fair consideration.
“We acknowledge the difficulty faced by anyone making such
allegations and the importance of treating all parties with dignity.
“Our review of the available public records reveals
significant contradictions that must be considered for a fair evaluation of the
situation.
“We believe that proper institutional processes, rather than
media forums, provide the appropriate venue for addressing such serious
matters.”
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