Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to pursue her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to its logical conclusion in court.
In a letter addressed to Akpabio’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, Natasha reiterated that her petition alleging sexual harassment reflects the truth of the events.
She said she would reserve further comments for the court, which has the exclusive jurisdiction to determine the merit of the matter.
She faulted Agbakoba’s reported request for her to provide additional evidence outside of the pleadings already filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in a related suit instituted by Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, identified as Suit No. CV/816/25.
“The assessment of evidence belongs to the courts alone. Your demand for proof, at the instance of your client, suggests a misunderstanding of what constitutes sexual harassment under various global protocols,” she wrote.
She added, “This narrow view trivialises a global issue and appears to be another attempt by your client to shift the conversation away from the real matter at hand.”
Natasha added that any further particulars required would be made available through proper legal channels, subject to court directives, and warned against circumventing the judicial process.
She said, “It is ironic that Akpabio, who avoided a Senate investigation under the cover of privilege, now seeks to turn the matter into a media spectacle through you.
“A litigant may not approbate in court and reprobate in the press. Parallel adjudication undermines judicial integrity, fairness, and the dignity of governance.”
She also addressed concerns over public photos showing her with Akpabio at the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva (March 24–25, 2024), and a December 9, 2023, social media post where she acknowledged his presence at a public event.
Natasha argued that civil interaction in official settings does not equate to a denial of prior misconduct.
She stated, “Outward civility should not be mistaken for consent or a waiver of rights. To do so would trivialise serious workplace harassment concerns, especially where power imbalance is involved.”
Natasha further clarified that she had not received any previous correspondence from Agbakoba on the matter and maintained that her silence was guided by legal advice and the doctrine of lis pendens.
In her letter dated April 30, 2025, she noted that two suits are currently before courts of competent jurisdiction.
The first, Suit No. CV/816/25, is a case instituted by Unoma Godswill Akpabio at the High Court of the FCT, in which N250 billion in damages is being sought for alleged defamation and sexual harassment.
The second, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, is before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Natasha is challenging her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics without fair hearing, leading to her six-month suspension, withdrawal of remuneration, loss of security detail and other parliamentary privileges.
She clarified that while the suit at the Federal High Court is unrelated to the sexual harassment allegation, the suit at the FCT High Court is directly linked to it, as it was instituted by Akpabio’s spouse following her claims.
“In respect for the courts and the doctrine of lis pendens, I have refrained from making public comments. Since both matters are now before competent courts, it would be improper for any party to engage in extrajudicial commentary,” she concluded
