The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has struck out a sexual harassment petition lodged by the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During an investigative hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, declared that the petition was “dead on arrival”, citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
He argued that Senate rules must be strictly adhered to, warning that any deviation could lead to “chaos and anarchy.”
He insisted that the Senate must “stamp its feet in defense of its rules,” adding that no matter pending before a court of law should be deliberated upon by the Senate, as it would be deemed sub judice.
Meanwhile, Akpabio earlier today, denied the sexual harassment allegations against him by the Kogi lawmaker.
News Band reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, rejected her assigned seat in the red chamber and challenged the Senate President’s order.
This resulted to a heated face-off between Natasha and the Senate President, Akpabio.
Meanwhile, despite the committee’s scheduled sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the probe panel.
The session, which was scheduled for 2 pm, did not commence until 2:58pm when the committee’s chairman arrived after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu.
While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50pm, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from the hearing.
