Former NBA President and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba, has urged suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to withdraw her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing the claim as “false and unsubstantiated.”
Legal Team Issues Second Letter
Agbakoba, who represents Akpabio, issued a second letter dated April 22, 2025, after receiving no response to the first letter sent on April 14. He addressed major contradictions in the senator’s claim, particularly regarding the alleged incident on December 8, 2023, and her social media praise of Akpabio the next day.
Allegation Timeline Raises Doubts
At a Lagos press briefing, Agbakoba questioned the 14-month delay between the alleged incident and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public accusation in February 2025. He highlighted her continued public engagements with Akpabio during that period, including events where they appeared together in photos she shared on social media.
Demands Clarification and Retraction
Citing these inconsistencies, Agbakoba insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan must retract her claims. He emphasized that deleting her social media post further weakens the credibility of her allegation.
Mock Apology Sparks New Reactions
Hours before Agbakoba’s second letter, Akpoti-Uduaghan posted a satirical “apology” letter on social media, criticizing what she called a culture of entitlement and impropriety in the Senate. She accused some high-ranking lawmakers of prioritizing political favors over competence.
Background to Allegation and Suspension
Akpoti-Uduaghan first made the harassment allegation during a TV interview in February. She claimed Akpabio made inappropriate advances and tied support for her legislative bill to personal favors — a charge Akpabio denied. The Senate later suspended her for six months over alleged misconduct and rule violations.
She claimed the suspension was retaliation for rejecting Akpabio’s advances. Her stance sparked the nationwide “We Are All Natasha” protests and drew attention at a UN event, where she condemned the Senate’s action as unlawful.
EFCC Arrests Socialite Aisha Achimugu
In a related legal development, the EFCC arrested businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at Abuja Airport on Tuesday. She was declared wanted in March for alleged money laundering and conspiracy.
Her lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), confirmed the arrest and called it a violation of her rights, noting she had voluntarily returned to Nigeria based on a court undertaking. He revealed Achimugu had begun a hunger strike to protest the arrest.
Call for Justice and Accountability
These events highlight ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s political and legal arenas. While Akpoti-Uduaghan faces mounting legal pressure to retract her claims, calls for transparency and institutional reform remain at the forefront of public discourse.
Stay with us for updates on this developing story. Do you believe public figures should face stricter accountability for allegations and counterclaims? Share your thoughts below.
