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The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The committee chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, declared the petition “dead on arrival” due to a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
The petition was deemed procedurally invalid because Akpoti-Uduaghan signed it herself, instead of having it endorsed by another individual.
Furthermore, the issues raised in the petition are already before a court of law, making them subjudice and beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.
Notably, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the probe panel, despite the committee’s scheduled hearing.
The session was delayed, starting at 2:58 p.m. instead of the scheduled 2:00 p.m., as the committee chairman waited for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu.
