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Exchanges between Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio appear not to be easing anytime soon.
The suspended senator has rejected demands from Olisa Agbakoba, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) – representing Akpabio – to retract her sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio, insisting that she stands by her claims and has received “no letter, no retraction.”
In a detailed rejoinder dated 30 April 2025 and addressed to Agbakoba, the senator clarified that she had not received any of the two letters allegedly sent on 14 and 22 April demanding a withdrawal of her allegations.
“I place it on formal record that no such letters have ever been served upon me by post, courier, or personal delivery. For the avoidance of doubt, I have received no correspondence dated 14th or 22nd April 2025. I stand by my complaint as lodged on 28 February 2025 and as pleaded in my Defence and Counter-Claim in CV/816/25,” Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote.
Her statement was in response to Agbakoba’s comments, where he accused her of ignoring formal legal communications and continuing to push “false and unsubstantiated” allegations against the Senate President.
Agbakoba, who is representing Senator Akpabio, had said during a press conference on Tuesday that the Kogi senator’s social media activity contradicted her claims.
The senior lawyer pointed to a 9 December 2023 Instagram post in which Akpoti-Uduaghan praised Akpabio, one day after the alleged harassment occurred.
“You have failed to clarify your allegation of 8 December 2023 and your exaltation of Senator Akpabio on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) on 9 December 2023 — the very next day,” Agbakoba said. “Rather than explain, you deleted the social media post, which to us is extremely concerning.”
He also questioned the timeline of her accusation, citing the 14-month gap between the alleged incident and her eventual public disclosure in February 2025.
“During this period, you were seen with Senator Akpabio at several events, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva on 24 and 25 March 2024, where you took selfies and group photos with him,” he stated.
However, in her reply, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the insinuation that outward civility at official events could negate or undermine her allegations.
She stated, “With respect, outward civility cannot be transposed into an admission that the misconduct never occurred. Legislative hierarchies, combined with acute gender asymmetries… place considerable coercive pressure on female legislators to maintain public decorum notwithstanding private discomfort.”
She maintained that her silence was in adherence to the sub judice rule, as two lawsuits relating to the matter are before courts of competent jurisdiction — one filed by the wife of the Senate President (CV/816/25), and another initiated by Akpoti-Uduaghan herself (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025), contesting her suspension from the Senate.
The senator noted, “In fidelity to the doctrine of lis pendens and a court’s direction, my silence was occasioned. Given that both suits are currently before the courts, it is improper for any party to make extrajudicial comments.”
She further accused the Senate of violating her rights to a fair hearing and equal representation.
According to her, her petition was dismissed over technical issues. She was suspended during a session led by Akpabio, the same person she filed the complaint against — which she believes violates the basic legal rule that no one should judge their case.
“The suspension deprived the electorate of Kogi Central representation… These events offend two core precepts of natural justice: nemo judex in causa sua (no one should be a judge in their own cause) and audi alteram partem (Let the other side be heard),” she wrote.
The embattled senator also faulted Agbakoba’s demand that she substantiate her allegations outside the court process.
“A private legal practitioner, however distinguished, is not vested with adjudicatory authority… The assessment of evidence belongs to the courts alone,” she wrote, warning against what she described as a “media campaign” orchestrated to pressure her into silence.
She accused Agbakoba of selective legal advocacy, arguing that his commentary has overlooked the Senate President’s role in her suspension and the procedural impropriety of presiding over a matter in which he had a vested interest.
“Your public interventions have thus far concentrated on alleged infirmities in my position, while eliding material improprieties perpetrated by your client. I respectfully invite you to provide your client with a comprehensive advisory… including the constitutional implications of occupying the dual roles of presiding officer and litigant,” she wrote.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also hinted at pursuing international legal remedies should her constitutional entitlements continue to be breached.
“I reserve every right, municipal and international, to seek redress,” she added
Despite mounting pressure, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains she will not back down.
“I stand by the allegations in my petitions, which represent the truth of the events complained about. Further comments will be reserved for the Court, which alone has the exclusive preserve to exercise judgement,” she said.
Harassment Allegations, Suspension
Senator Natasha had in the wake of a seat dispute with Akpabio, accused the lawmaker of sexual harassment. X@NatashaAkpoti
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan first made her allegations public during a television interview in February 2025.
She claimed that Senate President Akpabio made inappropriate comments and insinuated that her legislative proposals would only be considered if she agreed to “take care” of him — a euphemism she interpreted as sexual.
Akpabio has denied the claims, stating he had never harassed any woman and would allow the courts to determine the truth.
On 6 March 2025, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months without pay, citing “unruly conduct.” Her petition was dismissed for failing to follow procedural rules, particularly the requirement that another senator must sponsor a petition.
Her suspension sparked national protests under the slogan “We Are All Natasha,” with rallies in Lagos, Kaduna, Edo, and Enugu.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to the Federal High Court and the international stage, speaking at a Women in Parliament forum at the United Nations and calling her suspension “illegal”.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since rejected a petition to recall her, declaring it failed to meet constitutional standards.
In July 2024, Akpabio publicly scolded her during plenary, saying, “We are not in a nightclub,” after she spoke without being recognised — a remark widely criticised as sexist.
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