The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Neda Imaseun, has declared the sexual harassment case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as “closed” within the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Imaseun made this announcement on Tuesday in response to comments from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Abiola Akiode, who accused him of bias in handling the matter. According to Imaseun, the Senate would take no further action on the case, as it is now before a court of law.
Case Closed at Senate Level
Speaking during the committee’s session, Imaseun emphasized that the Senate’s involvement in the matter had officially ended, citing the chamber’s standing rules.
“Learned respondent (Akpabio’s counsel) has just told us that this matter is before the law court, and I will address that by our rule book, Order 40 (7) which says the Senate should not receive or deliberate on any matter to which actions are pending in any court of law,” Imaseun said.
He further stated, “Therefore, this committee will allow the court of law, that will not be biased, to handle this matter. This matter is closed here at the Senate and is adjourned sine die.”
Allegations of Bias
Before the committee’s decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Abiola Akiode, had called for Imaseun to step down as chairman of the committee, citing concerns about fairness.
“Our intention is that if we are going to proceed, we want the chair to please step down from this conversation to allow for fairness and justice in accordance with the constitution of this country,” Akiode said.
In response, Imaseun dismissed the claims of bias, noting that the entire Senate had been witness to the events under question. He argued that any new committee would not be more impartial, as all members were already familiar with the case.
Senate’s Position on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension
The Senate also clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent six-month suspension was unrelated to her sexual harassment allegations. According to Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi, the suspension was a consequence of repeated violations of parliamentary rules.
“The suspension resulted from her persistent acts of misconduct and gross indiscipline, including refusing to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, and making abusive remarks against Senate leadership,” Opeyemi explained.
He stressed that her suspension was not connected to the sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Background of the Case
The case drew national attention after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The allegations sparked widespread debate about gender dynamics and accountability within Nigeria’s political sphere.
The Senate’s decision to close the case at the committee level effectively shifts responsibility to the judiciary, as the matter is now being handled by a court of law.
Conclusion
The closure of the sexual harassment case at the Senate level reflects the institution’s reliance on procedural rules and the judicial system to resolve sensitive allegations. While the legislative body has distanced itself from further deliberation, the legal proceedings will now determine the outcome of the accusations.
This case continues to fuel discussions on the challenges of addressing sexual harassment claims within Nigeria’s political landscape and the need for transparency and fairness in handling such allegations.
