Nigerian Senate Rejects Natasha’s Sexual Harassment Petition, Sparking Tensions

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has rejected a sexual harassment petition filed by Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan. The committee argued that the issue was already under legal scrutiny, and thus, it could not address the matter.

The petition, presented by one of her constituents, Mr. Zubairu Yakubu, was further supported by former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who also appeared as a witness to defend the claim.

The committee’s decision to reject the petition was based on Senate rules, which prohibit dealing with cases already in court.

This ruling stemmed from an ongoing case filed by Dr. Unoma Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Senator Imasuen, a member of the committee, emphasized that the Senate usually refrains from addressing any petition related to matters under litigation.

As tensions escalated, the situation took a dramatic turn when Dr. Ezekwesili criticized the Senate’s stance, stating, “The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy.”

She further accused the Senate of prioritizing its own procedural rules over the laws of the country, adding, “The Senate placed its own rules above the laws of the land.

Now, with this petitioner, they have done the same thing, using procedural loopholes to avoid addressing critical issues.”

The confrontation grew heated when Senator Nwebonyi (APC – Ebonyi South) clashed with Dr. Ezekwesili, labeling her an “insult to womanhood” and a “hooligan.”

This verbal altercation occurred after Dr. Ezekwesili and others refused to take an oath during the proceedings, leading to Nwebonyi’s outburst:

“You are an insult to womanhood, hooligan. People like you are not supposed to be here, hooligan. You are an insult to womanhood.”

In response, Dr. Ezekwesili later told reporters that the Senate was undermining democracy by disregarding the Constitution.

She insisted that an independent body should review the petition, as she believed the Senate committee’s handling was biased.

She stated, “If a petitioner says they do not believe the Senate committee will give them a fair hearing due to clear bias, it is only just that an independent body reviews the matter.”

Mr. Yakubu, the petitioner, also expressed his frustration with the process, questioning the fairness of the hearing.

He remarked, “How can the chairman serve as a judge in a case where he has already publicly taken a position? What is the need for us to present our case when a verdict has already been given before hearing us?”

He also voiced disappointment that the suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who held crucial evidence to support her claims, was not allowed to testify.

“If my key witness is denied access, how can I proceed with my case?” Yakubu lamented.

Dr. Abiola Akinyode, representing the petitioner, criticized the Senate for its inconsistencies.

She argued, “There is nothing in Yakubu’s petition that was not in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s original petition. If the Senate dismissed her petition as ‘dead on arrival,’ then logically, Yakubu’s should also be dismissed.”

Akinyode also questioned why the committee accepted the petition only to dismiss it on the grounds of an ongoing court case.

She said, “If they knew the case was in court, they should have simply written to the petitioner stating they could not entertain it. Instead, they invited him, only to dismiss the petition on the basis that it was already in court.”

The Senate’s handling of the petition has sparked controversy, with accusations of bias and procedural irregularities.

Critics argue that the refusal to allow Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to testify and the dismissal of the petition without proper consideration undermines the fairness of the process.

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