Senate panel dismisses Natasha Akpoti’s petition against Akpabio

The senate committee on ethics and privileges has dismissed the petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, lawmaker representing Kogi central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Earlier today, Akpoti-Uduaghan tendered a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.

The committee rejected the petition, citing breaches of due process and legal limitations.

Neda Imaseun, chairman of the committee, said Akpoti-Uduaghan personally signed the petition instead of securing another person’s endorsement, making the document legally defective and invalid.

Imasuen, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, said the petition was “dead on arrival” because it violates “order 40 of the senate standing order”.

“The petition that she (Natasha) presented today is actually dead on arrival; it runs contrary to order 40, sub-section 4, which states that no senator may present to the senate a petition signed by him or herself. Since that petition was signed by her, it will not be entertained by this committee,” the committee chairman said.

He added that the issues raised in the petition were already being addressed in court, making them sub judice and beyond the senate’s authority.

A federal high court in Abuja had issued an order preventing the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions from continuing the disciplinary hearing.

Yemi Adaramodu, the senate spokesperson, provided testimony against Akpoti-Uduaghan during the panel’s deliberation on the matter.

Titus Zam, chairman of the rules and business committee in the senate, alongside the sergeant-at-arms, also testified in opposition to Akpoti-Uduaghan.