Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has described the sexual harassment allegation made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio as 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 emphasized the need for justice to be grounded in evidence and fairness, while also acknowledging the importance of a safe environment for individuals to speak up.
Acting on behalf of Akpabio, Agbakoba has written to the suspended senator demanding clarification 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, contradict 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 fair and thorough evaluation.
Allegations should be addressed through proper institutional channels, not media forums,” Agbakoba said.