Suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has firmly rejected the possibility of settling her sexual harassment case with Senate President Godswill Akpabio outside of court. In her response to a letter from Akpabio’s legal representative, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), dated April 30, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her claims are true and must be resolved through the legal process, with further comments reserved for the court.
She criticized Agbakoba for requesting evidence outside of the legal proceedings already filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Suit No. CV/816/25), which includes a claim filed by Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, against her. Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that the courts alone are authorized to assess the evidence and highlighted what she described as a misunderstanding of sexual harassment under global standards. She suggested that Agbakoba’s actions are an attempt to minimize the seriousness of the issue.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also condemned a media campaign she claimed was orchestrated by Agbakoba on behalf of Akpabio, urging the public to demand evidence outside of the judicial process. She stressed that litigants cannot seek justice while simultaneously engaging in media trials, as this undermines the integrity of the legal system.
In response to criticisms regarding her public acknowledgment of Akpabio at a December 2023 event and photos from the March 2024 Inter-Parliamentary Union session, Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that civil behavior at public functions does not imply consent or invalidate claims of harassment. She explained that such interactions should not be interpreted as reducing the seriousness of workplace misconduct, particularly when power dynamics are involved.
The suspended Senator also addressed her previous silence in the matter, explaining that it was guided by legal advice and respect for the lis pendens doctrine, discouraging public debate on cases already before the court. She pointed out that two separate lawsuits are pending: one involving defamation and sexual harassment, and another concerning her six-month suspension from the Senate and withdrawal of entitlements. She emphasized that the sexual harassment allegations should be dealt with in court, not the media.
In a recent briefing, Agbakoba had questioned why Akpoti-Uduaghan deleted a social media post from December 9, 2023, praising Akpabio shortly after the alleged harassment. He argued that this raised doubts about the credibility of her claims. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that her actions and legal strategy align with her pursuit of justice through the appropriate legal channels.
