The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has insisted on pursuing the s3xual harassment suit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to its logical conclusion in the court.
In a correspondence to Akpabio’s counsel, Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, dated 30th April 2025, she asserted that her petition of s3xual harassment represent the truth of the events complained about, adding she will reserve further comments for the court, which has the exclusive preserve to exercise judgment on the propriety or otherwise of the matter.
The lawmaker faulted Agbakoba for allegedly calling on her to substantiate the allegations of s3xual harassment against Akpabio, outside the pleadings already before the High Court of the FCT on the same complaint by Akpabio’s spouse, Unoma in suit No. CV/816/25.
She noted: “The assessment of evidence belongs to the courts alone. The nature of your demand for evidence in this manner, in the instance of your client, simply indicates a broader misconception of what truly amounts to s3xual harassment as prescribed in several global protocols.
“It underscores a narrow perspective of the nature of this global menace. It is in my respectful opinion that this is another attempt by your client to play to the gallery and relegate this matter yet again to the backwaters.
“Should further particulars be required, they will be furnished in the ordinary course of disclosure, subject to the direction of the Honourable Courts. Any attempt to circumvent that regulated process risks subverting the very rule-of-law values you have championed throughout your distinguished career.”
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said it was irreconcilable that Akpabio now mounted a media campaign, allegedly through Agbakoba, demanding that she furnish proof in a domain he would not allow to be addressed by the Senate due to his privileged position.
“The principle is elementary: a litigant may not approbate in the courts and reprobate in the press. The rule against parallel adjudication safeguards the integrity of judicial determination, preserves the fairness of proceedings, and secures the dignity of all arms of government,” she stressed.
