The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Committee chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, made this known on Wednesday during a probe hearing at the National Assembly, stating that the petition was “dead on arrival” due to procedural irregularities.
According to Imasuen, the petition violated Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders as it was personally signed by Akpoti-Uduaghan instead of being endorsed by another individual, rendering it invalid.
Despite the committee’s scheduled sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the panel. The session, initially set for 2:00 pm, was delayed until 2:58 pm due to her absence. The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, eventually arrived at 2:50 pm, but the petitioner remained absent.
With this decision, the committee has effectively closed the case, dismissing the allegations against the Senate President.
