Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, a distinguished lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has asserted that the sexual harassment allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio lacks the necessary evidentiary support to substantiate such claims.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba remarked that the allegation, “as it currently stands, contains significant contradictions and falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.”
As Akpabio’s legal counsel, Agbakoba emphasised the importance of fostering an environment where individuals feel empowered to report misconduct. However, he underscored that such allegations must still conform to principles of fairness and justice, especially concerning verifiable evidence. He revealed that, following instructions from the Senate President, he had sent a formal letter to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan seeking clarification on “several contradictions” present in her public allegations, which have received extensive coverage in both local and international media.
“This widespread coverage has damaged our client’s reputation locally and internationally,” the letter stated in part. “We are happy to allow you a reasonable time to clarify the contradictions we have referred to, while our client reserves the right to all legal options.”
Agbakoba pointed out what he termed a “timeline contradiction” that is pivotal to the case. He noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the harassment occurred on December 8, 2023, yet the following day, December 9, she took to social media to commend Akpabio and celebrate the same event in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, where the alleged incident took place.
“In her posts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), she eulogised the Senate President and spoke glowingly about the birthday celebration,” Agbakoba stated. “The juxtaposition of an alleged traumatic harassment followed by such public admiration requires careful consideration.”
Additionally, he mentioned that while each case of sexual misconduct should be addressed with seriousness and fairness, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s previous accusations—such as those against former presidential aide Reno Omokri and an unnamed minister—indicate a pattern that should not be overlooked when assessing her credibility.
“Sexual harassment is a grave issue that demands a fair and rigorous examination,” Agbakoba asserted. “We acknowledge the challenges faced by those making such claims, but also stress that due process through appropriate institutional mechanisms—not the media—is the proper route for addressing such allegations.”
This situation has ignited renewed discussions on how serious allegations made by public officials ought to be managed, particularly when they raise concerns regarding timing, intent, and due process.
