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Olisa Agbakoba, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has
written a second letter to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi
central, demanding a retraction of her s#xua! harassment allegation against
Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter dated April 14, Agbakoba, a former president
of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide
evidence supporting her claim that Akpabio sexua!!y harassed her on December 8,
2023.
Senator Natasha has since been suspended.
Agbakoba said the latest letter became necessary after
Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to respond to concerns raised in his earlier
correspondence, noting that the senator had not clarified contradictions in her
timeline and actions following the alleged incident.
The senior lawyer added that, instead of explaining the
discrepancy between the allegation and a social media post she made the
following day praising Akpabio, the senator deleted the post.
“Recall that in our first letter to you, we requested
clarification of contradictions in your allegation against our client,
Akpabio,” the letter reads.
“Of note is the contradiction as to timeline and dates. You
have failed to clarify your s_xual harassment allegation on Dec. 8, 2023, and
your exaltation of Akpabio on your social media accounts (Instagram and
X/Twitter) on Dec. 9, 2023—the day after you alleged he sexually harassed you.
“Rather than clarify this contradiction, you deleted the
social media post, which to us is extremely concerning.”
Agbakoba said the burden of proof lies with Akpoti-Uduaghan,
stressing that her conduct following the alleged incident undermines her
claims.
He also questioned the delay in making the allegation
public.
“You claim that the sexual harassment occurred on Dec. 8,
2023, but your allegation was not made until Feb. 28, 2025. One year and two
months after,” Agbakoba queried.
He noted that throughout 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan was seen at
various events with Akpabio, both locally and internationally.
He referenced the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in
Geneva on March 24 and 25, 2024, where the two were photographed together.
“In fact, you took several selfies and group photos with him
during these events,” Agbakoba said.
“All these events were posted in warm tones by you on your
social media platforms. Please see screenshot copies of your Facebook post(s)
and other photos you took with Akpabio. We find this contradictory and
unbelievable.”
He said the senator had failed to address inconsistencies
pointed out in the initial letter.
“In light of this and having also failed to clarify
inconsistencies pointed out in our first letter to you, we demand that you
retract the sexual harassment allegations against our client as they are
clearly false and unsubstantiated,” he said.
On Sunday, Akpoti-Uduaghan issued a satirical apology letter
to Akpabio on her Facebook page.
In the letter, the senator expressed “deepest sarcasm and
utmost theatrical regret” for “the grievous crime of possessing dignity and
self-respect” in Akpabio’s presence.
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