Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan submits sexual harassment petition to Senate…I didn’t do it, Akpabio insists

By Kingston Magare
Amidst call for Senate president Godswill Akpabio to step aside following sexual harassment allegations levelled against him, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has laid down details of the incident in a petition submitted to the Senate Wednesday.
Last week Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central accused Senator Akpabio of sexually harassing her at different occasions, her husband Emmanuel Uduaghan buttressed her allegations by admitting that he confronted Akpabio over the issue. The Senate referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, directing it to review the matter as soon as practicable.
Senator Akpabio told members of the Upper Chambers during Wednesday’s plenary that he did not harass any woman.
“At no time did I ever harass any woman.
“I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women.
“I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued an interim order stopping the Senate Ethics Committee from proceeding with its planned investigation of the actions of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court presided by Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by counsels to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central.