Akpabio to step down as Senate President over Natasha’s Sexual Harassment Allegation

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, may likely step down in the coming week amid sexual harassment allegation levied against him by Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to Sahara Reporters, this is to allow the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions (SCEPPP) to officially clear him of the allegation.

The Senate Committee after clearing Akpabio is then expected to recommend an “indefinite suspension” for his accuser, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan.

It was earlier reported that SCEPPP is set to hear testimonies from Senate President.

The Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, who confirmed this during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday said other senators who were present at the time of the alleged incident will also testify before the committee.

“All the parties involved would appear before the Committee, including the Senate President.

“He would come and testify, and his testimony would be recorded, likewise other senators,” Nwebonyi stated.

Sources who spoke with Sahara Reporters said both Natasha and Akpabio will in the coming week appear the senate committee in a bid to make the Senate president “fulfil all righteousness” before landing a heavier blow on the suspended female senator.

The investigation will be conducted by the Senator Neda Imasuen’s committee, while the alleged plan involves presenting Akpabio “officially innocent” of all allegations and suspending Senator Natasha for the entirety of the remaining part of her tenure.

Senator Ireti Kingibe’s recent statement supporting the investigation and Senator Onyekachi Nweboyin’s Channels TV interview are reportedly part of the orchestrated plan to perfect the suspension plot.

Nweboyin had revealed that both Akpabio and Natasha would eventually face an investigative panel.

“The plan currently being orchestrated is to suspend Senator Natasha till the end of the tenure. The report of the panel is currently being prepared and the panel is just to formalise the process.

“Akpabio will announce that he is stepping down for investigation to face the panel and after few hours, the panel will come up with a report that he is innocent and Senator Natasha will be suspended indefinitely till 2027 when her tenure ends. They want to send her away,” one of the top sources revealed.

This development comes on the heels of Senator Natasha’s petition to Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) against the Senate President.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had alleged that Akpabio sexually harassed her during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in December 2023.

She claimed that during the visit, the Senate President held her hand, led her around his house, and made inappropriate advances towards her — even in the presence of her husband.

The suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, took a new turn as she filed a contempt application against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly disobeying a valid court order.

In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is listed as the plaintiff, while the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, are named as the first to fourth defendants and alleged contemnors.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu had previously granted an ex-parte order on March 4, restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice Egwuatu, in the ex-parte application supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit filed by Natasha’s legal team on March 3, 2025, and argued on March 4, specifically said “an order of this honourable court is made declaring that any action taken during the pendency of his Suit is null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”

Despite the existence of the court order, which was widely publicised, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct.

The Senate also directed that her office be sealed and ordered her to hand over all Senate property in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly for the duration of the suspension.

The decision followed the adoption of a report by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South.

The committee initiated disciplinary proceedings after the February 20 incident between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio.

In response to the Senate’s disregard for the court order, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyers, filed a Form 48 Notice of Disobedience of Court Order at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The application, brought under Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, serves as a notice of the consequences of disobedience to the court order issued on March 4, 2025.

The court document, dated March 7 and signed by the registrar reads, “TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, your wilful disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court, Coram: Hon. Justice O.A. Egwuatu J. made on 4th day of March 2025, renders you liable for contempt of court, for which you may be committed to prison unless you comply with the said order.

“TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that despite being duly served with the enrolled order on the 5th Day of March 2025, you, the Defendants/Contemnors, have deliberately and contumaciously disregarded its binding directive, proceeding with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of this Honourable Court. A copy of the said order is annexed hereto for ease of reference.”