The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has once again dismissed a petition by Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The petition, submitted by Zubairu Yakubu, a self-described concerned citizen from Kogi Central Senatorial District, alleged that Mr. Akpabio sexually harassed Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, abused his office, and obstructed legislative duties.
Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan presented the petition on the Senate floor on 5 March, just minutes before her controversial suspension from the upper legislative chamber. The matter was subsequently referred to the ethics committee, led by Edo South Senator, Neda Imasuen, for review.
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Tense Committee Hearing
On Tuesday, Mr. Yakubu appeared before the ethics committee, accompanied by his legal counsel, Abiola Akiyode, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili. However, the proceedings quickly became contentious.
Mr. Yakubu refused to present his case unless Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan was allowed to attend the hearing in person. He accused the committee chairman of bias, citing previous public comments in which Mr. Imasuen allegedly described the petition as “dead on arrival.”
“If the chairman has already declared the petition dead before even hearing it, how can we expect fairness? One of the committee members even went on national television claiming to be a principal witness for the Senate President. How can we trust this process?” Mr. Yakubu questioned.
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Committee Rejects Petition
Following heated exchanges, the committee dismissed the petition, citing the fact that the matter is already before a court.
The decision sparked further debate, with Mr. Yakubu questioning why the committee had summoned him if they knew the case was sub judice.
“If they knew the matter was in court, why did they invite me? This only confirms their bias and disregard for due process,” he argued.
His lawyer, Mrs. Akiyode, echoed these concerns, criticizing the committee’s inconsistent handling of the matter.
“If the committee had already dismissed Natasha’s initial petition as ‘dead on arrival,’ why entertain it again only to throw it out? This clearly shows a lack of consistency and due process,” she said.
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Ezekwesili and Senator Clash
The hearing took a dramatic turn when Mrs. Ezekwesili and Ebonyi North Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi engaged in a heated exchange.
The confrontation began after Mrs. Ezekwesili accused the committee of bias, prompting Mr. Nwebonyi to object to her remarks. When Mrs. Ezekwesili told him to “shut up,” Mr. Nwebonyi reacted angrily.
“Why should you talk to a senator like that? You can never be a senator. You are an insult to womanhood,” he retorted.
Ezekwesili Condemns Senate’s Actions
Addressing journalists after the committee adjourned indefinitely, Mrs. Ezekwesili accused the Senate of undermining the Nigerian Constitution.
“The Nigerian Senate keeps prioritizing its internal rules over the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy,” she declared.
She argued that Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan had been denied a fair hearing, in direct violation of constitutional provisions guaranteeing due process.
“The Senate has placed its own rules above the laws of the land. Now, with this petitioner, they are doing the same thing—using procedural loopholes to avoid addressing serious allegations,” she said.
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Call for Independent Panel
Mrs. Ezekwesili demanded the formation of an independent panel to review the allegations against the Senate President.
“If a petitioner believes the Senate committee is biased, it is only fair that an independent body investigates the matter,” she asserted.
She also warned that the Senate’s actions set a dangerous precedent where internal procedures could be weaponized to suppress opposition and evade accountability.
“The Senate must uphold the Constitution. Failure to do so risks transforming our democracy into a system where the powerful manipulate processes to silence critics and obstruct justice,” she concluded.
