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Alleged Se3ual Harassment: Natasha Declines Out-Of-Court Settlement Proposal By Akpabio’s Counsel
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has strongly declined a proposed out-of-court settlement put forward by the legal team of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The proposal, led by senior advocate Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), was in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
In a recent interview with The Nation, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her determination to pursue legal redress, stating that the gravity of her allegations warranted a full and transparent judicial process not a private resolution behind closed doors.
“An out-of-court settlement? Settle what, exactly? What about how I felt?” she asked, visibly emotional. “This isn’t just about me, it’s about standing up against intimidation and injustice. I am not seeking to settle anything quietly. I want accountability.”
The senator insisted that her refusal was rooted in the principle of justice, not personal vengeance. “This is not about compromise. It’s about making sure no woman suffers in silence or gets silenced when she speaks out,” she added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also criticized what she described as the negative political signals being sent by Akpabio’s handling of the situation, saying his refusal to voluntarily submit to investigation reflects poorly on the administration of President Bola Tinubu. “Akpabio should welcome a proper investigation if he has nothing to hide,” she said.
Agbakoba Challenges Validity of Claims
In response, Akpabio’s legal counsel, Olisa Agbakoba, urged the senator to present more substantial evidence to support her claims, which he argued did not yet meet the legal threshold for a proven case of sexual harassment. According to Agbakoba, inconsistencies in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s narrative raise serious questions.
He specifically highlighted a sequence of events that appeared contradictory: “The senator made the allegations on December 8, 2023, yet posted messages on social media praising Senator Akpabio during his birthday celebration in Uyo on December 9,” he stated. “How do we reconcile that with the claims now being made?”
Agbakoba maintained that while the possibility of harassment cannot be dismissed outright, it is critical that such allegations are examined with due diligence. “Sexual harassment takes many forms—it could be verbal, physical, or behavioral—but based on available information, I doubt there was any clear physical misconduct,” he said.
He further warned against the potential misuse of harassment claims as tools of political vendetta. “Allegations should be made and evaluated responsibly. We must avoid using sensitive issues as weapons of revenge,” he said, urging a careful and fair investigation into the matter.
A Case That Raises Broader Questions
The standoff between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio now underscores deeper concerns about how sexual harassment cases are handled in Nigeria’s political space. The tension between seeking justice and maintaining political decorum is being tested in real-time, with the public watching closely.
While Akpoti-Uduaghan remains firm in her resolve to seek justice through the courts, Agbakoba’s call for more proof introduces a legal hurdle that could determine whether the case advances or falters.
At the heart of the issue is a broader societal question: how should allegations of misconduct be approached when they involve individuals at the highest levels of government?
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, OPEP, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, have arrested a suspected kidnapper linked to the abduction of a resident in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This was contained in a statement posted on X by the Nigerian Army.
The post identified the suspect as Buba Ali, 30, adding that he was arrested at about 12:45 pm on Sunday, August 9, at Binawa village in Kauru Local Government Area.
According to post, the suspect was arrested during a joint operation conducted by troops of Sector 7 OPEP and members of the CJTF.
It said the suspect was reportedly linked to the kidnapping of Alhaji Tasi, who was abducted in the village.
“Following his arrest, Ali was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated by security personnel.
“The ongoing investigation is focused on obtaining information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the suspected kidnapping gang,” the Army said.
Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected claims by an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
In a viral video, Sheikh Jingir, who was preaching to Muslims at an event, said “if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us”.
The comment has continued to generate backlash online as Christians rejected the claim.
Reacting, Fani-kayode in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday night, said the cleric’s remark is unhelpful and untrue.
“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative,” the former aviation minister said.
“Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided. Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country.
“She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” FFK added.
He further stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027 is gaining acceptance “only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims”.
“One day we may have a Christian/Christian ticket too because with God all things are possible,” he added.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Moyowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Ilesa.
The incident occurred on Saturday and reportedly left four people injured, including a teenager identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was taken into custody after police officers arrived at the scene, secured the area and began collecting evidence.
According to Ojelabi, the commissioner’s vehicle was stopped at the location, where an Amotekun operative allegedly linked to the shooting was also found.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene and cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” Ojelabi said.
The development came amid heightened attention to the incident after a video circulated on social media on Sunday showing Adejoorin leaving the police command.
Confirming the development, Ojelabi told Vanguard that the commissioner had been released on bail but said he was still awaiting clarification on the status of the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside him.
“It is true that the commissioner has been released on bail today, but I am yet to clear the situation with the Amotekun personnel arrested with him,” he said.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.
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