A heated session unfolded in the Senate on Wednesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan formally submitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Rising under Senate Rule 40, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, referenced her recent comments on Arise TV, where she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. She then proceeded to present the allegations in a formal petition before the Senate.
Akpabio, who presided over the session, accepted the petition and referred it to the Senate Committee on Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Public Petitions for further review.
However, Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno opposed the submission, arguing that the Senate could not entertain the petition because a related matter was already in court. Citing Senate Rule 40(7), he insisted that the chamber must refrain from deliberating on issues pending legal action.
Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected Monguno’s claim, clarifying that the ongoing court case was a defamation suit she filed against Akpabio’s special assistant on social media, Patrick Mfon, who accused her of dressing indecently.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also objected to the petition, insisting it was defective and should not be considered. The session became tense, leading to a brief rowdy exchange before calm was restored.
Following the disagreement, the Senate moved into a closed-door session, while Akpoti-Uduaghan staged a walkout in protest.
Her clash with Akpabio dates back to February 20, when a dispute over seating arrangements led to her being referred to the Senate’s disciplinary panel. Days later, on February 25, she filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against the Senate President.
