Agbakoba Demands Retraction From Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Akpabio

Prominent legal luminary and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has issued a second letter to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding a retraction of what he describes as “false and unsubstantiated” sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The development follows the senator’s initial claim that Akpabio sexually harassed her on December 8, 2023, a charge that has sparked nationwide debate and led to her temporary suspension from the Senate.

Agbakoba, whose law firm Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) is representing Akpabio, told journalists in Lagos on Tuesday that the second letter became necessary after the embattled Kogi Central senator failed to respond to key contradictions raised in his first letter dated April 14.

“Rather than clarify the contradictions in her story—particularly the troubling timeline and her subsequent online praise of Akpabio just a day after the alleged incident—Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan chose to delete the posts from her social media,” Agbakoba stated.

He referenced posts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) on December 9, 2023, in which the senator appeared to exalt the same individual she later accused of misconduct. “This is extremely concerning,” Agbakoba said.

He also questioned the 14-month delay in bringing forward the accusation, stating that during that time, the senator was frequently seen with Akpabio at both domestic and international events, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva in March 2024.

“You were seen taking selfies and posting group photos with our client. These posts were made in warm and friendly tones,” Agbakoba said, referencing screenshots of her Facebook and other social media accounts attached as evidence.

He added that while the law permits anyone to bring forward complaints of harassment, such accusations must be backed with credible evidence, especially when directed at a high-ranking public official.

“In light of your failure to address these inconsistencies, we are demanding a full retraction of your allegations,” the senior lawyer concluded.

Agbakoba also called on the Nigerian Bar Association and other stakeholders to uphold standards of truth and responsibility in public discourse, especially in sensitive matters such as sexual misconduct allegations.

As of press time, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not issued a response to the latest letter.