Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Rejects Demand To Withdraw Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Akpabio
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has firmly refused to retract her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating she “stands by her claims” and has received “no letter, no retraction.”
Senator Denies Receiving Legal Demands
In a formal response dated April 30, 2025, the Kogi Central lawmaker dismissed the demand issued by Akpabio’s legal representative, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), noting she never received the letters allegedly sent on April 14 and 22.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have received no correspondence dated 14th or 22nd April 2025,” she wrote. “I stand by my complaint as lodged on 28 February 2025.”
Allegations of Harassment and Contradictions
Agbakoba had earlier accused the senator of ignoring formal communications and continuing to spread “false and unsubstantiated” claims. He referenced her December 9, 2023, social media post praising Akpabio, just one day after the alleged harassment.
He also questioned the 14-month delay before she publicly disclosed the incident in February 2025, highlighting her visible presence at joint events with Akpabio during that time.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Responds: Civility Doesn’t Equal Consent
The senator rejected the notion that her professional conduct in public negated her allegations.
“Outward civility cannot be transposed into an admission that the misconduct never occurred,” she argued, citing legislative hierarchy and gender imbalance as reasons for maintaining public decorum.
She explained her silence was in line with legal advice and court proceedings, noting that two related lawsuits are currently before competent courts — one filed by Akpabio’s wife, and another she initiated challenging her suspension.
Fair Hearing and Rule of Law
Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate of violating her rights to due process. She criticized Akpabio for presiding over the session that led to her suspension — despite being the subject of her petition — which, she said, breached fundamental principles of justice.
“The suspension deprived Kogi Central of representation. It offends the principles of ‘nemo judex in causa sua’ and ‘audi alteram partem,’” she added.
Criticizes Media Tactics, Threatens International Legal Action
The senator dismissed Agbakoba’s request to provide evidence outside court as inappropriate, warning that legal issues should be resolved judicially, not through media campaigns.
She called Agbakoba’s public statements one-sided and urged him to advise Akpabio on the constitutional implications of his dual role as litigant and presiding officer.
“If my constitutional rights continue to be breached, I reserve every right, municipal and international, to seek redress,” she declared.
Harassment Claim and Political Fallout
Akpoti-Uduaghan made her allegations public in February 2025 during a TV interview, accusing Akpabio of inappropriate comments and demanding personal favors to support her bills. Akpabio denied the claims, stating he had never harassed any woman.
The Senate suspended her on March 6, 2025, for “unruly conduct,” triggering national protests under the hashtag #WeAreAllNatasha. She challenged the suspension in court and addressed global leaders at the UN’s Women in Parliament forum, calling it “illegal.”
INEC has since dismissed a recall petition against her, citing constitutional deficiencies. In July 2024, Akpabio had previously scolded her during plenary, saying “We are not in a nightclub,” drawing backlash over alleged sexism.
