IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday descended into confusion and chaos over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against the President of the Senate Godswill Obot Akpabio.
Natasha rose on Order 10 of the Senate Rules to allow her petition against Akpabio to be admitted and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
This is even as pro-Natasha supporters stormed the entrance to the National Assembly in the early hours of Wednesday demanding the resignation of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for allegedly harassing her sexually.
Natasha presented her petition against the Senate President after Akpabio earlier in his address declared that he had never harassed any woman in his life.
Senator Mohammed Monguno through Order 40, drew the attention of the chamber to the fact that the Nigerian Senate lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter as it has been taken to court.
Citing relevant ‘Orders and Rules’ guiding Senate proceedings, Monguno submitted that “the power to debate on the allegation of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio has been taken away”.
He maintained that any attempt to debate on the matter would be subjudice and an affront to the powers of the court, maintaining that the court be allowed to adjudicate on the matter.
“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 chamber has been stopped,” he added.
Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi expressed sympathy with the Senate President to have allowed the petition to be referred to the Committee, saying that the ‘Rules and Order’ doesn’t allow a senator to sign a petition personally against the Senate leadership.
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.
Meanwhile, supporters of Natasha comprising women and youths drawn from Kogi state were seen in their numbers protesting the probe of their principal by the Senate and also demanding the resignation of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on account of purported sexual harassment.,
Pro Akpabio protesters also came to the NASS Entrance to protest against the accusations leveled against the Senate President by Natasha and equally demanded Natasha’s resignation.
Consequently,a combined team of Police and Civil Defence Corps joined forces to disperse the two group protesters by throwing Teargas at them in an attempt to chase them away from the National Assembly gate.
Meanwhile, the Senate had earlier on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which she alleged sexual harassment.
Speaking at a probe session on Wednesday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), declared the petition “dead on arrival,” citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself, instead of having it endorsed by another individual, rendering it procedurally invalid. Additionally, he noted that the issues raised in the petition were already in court, making them sub judice.
Despite the committee’s scheduled sitting time, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the probe panel. The session, set for 2:00 PM, did not commence until 2:58 PM when the committee’s chairman arrived after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent as the session began.
The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee two 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 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 gave to Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, in which she reiterated her allegations against Akpabio.
Sequel to 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.
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