Senate Committee dismisses Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has dismissed the petition filed by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In the petition which was refered to the Committee earlier today ( Wednesday) during plenary,  Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties.

Chairman of the Committee, Neda Imasuen (Edo South), ruled that the petition was “dead on arrival” and would not be entertained by the Senate.

Imasuen, cited a violation of Senate Order 40 (4), which stipulates that no senator may submit a petition personally signed by themselves.

He argued that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition violated the Senate’s procedural rules, as she had personally signed the document.

“The petition she presented today is actually dead on arrival and that petitions having been submitted by her will not be entertained by this committee. She’s not here, and I can understand why she’s not here on the orders of her lawyers,” he said.

Senate Order 40 (4) explicitly states that “No senator may present to the Senate a petition signed by himself.”

Based on this provision, Imasuen ruled that the committee would not consider her allegations against Akpabio.