Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, said the sexual harassment allegation made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio was inconsistent and legally insufficient.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba said the allegation, “as it currently stands, falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.”
He harped on the need for justice to be grounded in evidence and fairness.
He also acknowledged the importance of a safe environment for individuals to speak up.
Acting on behalf of Akpabio, Agbakoba has written to the suspended senator demanding clarifications over what he described as contradictions in her claims, which have been widely reported in both local and international media.
“This widespread coverage has damaged our client’s reputation locally and internationally,” the letter states.
“We are happy to allow you a reasonable time to clarify the contradictions… while our client reserves the right to all legal options.”
Agbakoba cited a key inconsistency in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s timeline:
“While she alleges the harassment occurred on December 8, 2023, she publicly praised Akpabio the following day in social media posts about a birthday event in Uyo.”
According to him, the tone and content of the posts, which expressed admiration for the Senate President, contradicted the allegation of harassment.
He further referenced previous public allegations made by the senator, including those involving Reno Omokri and a former minister, suggesting a need to scrutinize what he called a pattern.
“Each case must be evaluated independently,” he noted, but added that these instances warranted careful consideration.
“Sexual harassment is a serious matter that deserves careful and fair consideration. We acknowledge the difficulty faced by anyone making such allegations and the importance of treating all parties with dignity.
“Our review of the available public records reveals significant contradictions that must be considered for a fair evaluation of the situation.
“We believe that proper institutional processes, rather than media forums provide the appropriate venue for addressing such serious matters,”
“Allegations should be addressed through proper institutional channels, not media forums,” Agbakoba said.
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