The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. On March 5, the committee declared the petition “dead on arrival,” citing procedural violations and legal constraints.
Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, explained that the petition was invalid because Akpoti-Uduaghan had signed it herself, rather than having it endorsed by another individual, as required by Senate Standing Orders. Furthermore, the committee noted that the issues raised in the petition were already under judicial consideration, making the matter sub judice and outside the Senate’s jurisdiction.