Controversy deepens: Natasha rejects Akpabio settlement deal

DDM News

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has firmly rejected an out-of-court settlement proposed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s legal team.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central insisted that her sexual harassment allegations must be addressed through the courts and not in private negotiations.

She described the proposal for settlement as an insult to justice and a dismissal of the emotional impact the alleged incident had on her.

Speaking in an interview with The Nation, she questioned the rationale behind resolving such a serious matter without a formal investigation.

“Out-of-court settlement? To settle how? Who? What about how I felt?” she asked rhetorically, showing visible frustration.

She maintained that she is not interested in any form of settlement at this time and is focused on seeking justice.

According to her, “It is not about settlement; it is about justice,” underscoring her commitment to transparency and accountability.

She further stated that Akpabio’s actions and his attempt to settle the matter quietly send a dangerous message about power and accountability in Nigeria.

Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that no woman should be intimidated or silenced for speaking out about harassment.

She called on Akpabio to subject himself to a full and impartial investigation, adding that this is a test of Nigeria’s institutional integrity.

The controversy stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public accusation that Akpabio sexually harassed her, a claim that has sparked national attention.

In response, Akpabio’s legal counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olisa Agbakoba, urged the senator to provide stronger evidence to support her allegations.

He noted that her claims, as presented, fell short of the legal threshold required to sustain a case of harassment.

Agbakoba raised questions about inconsistencies in her timeline, particularly how she praised Akpabio on social media the day after the alleged incident.

“On one hand, you complained about sexual harassment on December 8, 2023,” Agbakoba said.

“But on the other, you praised Senator Akpabio on December 9 at his birthday event in Uyo,” he added.

He described these contradictions as significant and urged the public to examine them closely.

Agbakoba also cautioned against the misuse of harassment allegations for personal or political reasons.

“Allegations must be scrutinized with diligence and care to avoid weaponizing them for vendetta,” he stated.

Although he did not deny the possibility of harassment, he stressed the need for a careful and fair investigation.

“There is no defined description of harassment. It could be words or behavior,” Agbakoba said.

“But I doubt any absolute physical act in respect of Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio,” he concluded.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, insists that her experience should not be trivialized or buried in legal technicalities.

She criticized what she described as a culture of silencing women who speak out against powerful figures.

The senator called on the government and civil society to support victims of harassment and ensure such matters are treated with seriousness.

She warned that Akpabio’s attempts to resolve the issue quietly reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration and its stance on justice.

The case has ignited public debate and drawn attention to how harassment claims are handled in Nigeria’s political space.

Many observers see the senator’s refusal to back down as a turning point in the country’s fight against sexual misconduct in high places.

Critics argue that powerful individuals often escape accountability by using influence, legal power, and public relations tactics.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s determination to pursue justice publicly may embolden other women in politics to come forward with their stories.

She has become a symbol of resistance in a space where many victims are pressured into silence.

The controversy continues to unfold, and all eyes are now on how the judiciary and the Senate will handle the matter.

Her stance has triggered wider discussions on the need for protective laws, victim support systems, and institutional reform.

As pressure mounts, the nation waits to see whether justice will prevail or whether political interests will override due process.

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