Group demands probe of sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has called for investigation into allegation of sexual harassment leveled against President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio by the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Kogi Central Senator made the allegation when she appeared on the Morning Show aired by Arise News in Abuja. The […]

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has called for investigation into allegation of sexual harassment leveled against President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio by the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Kogi Central Senator made the allegation when she appeared on the Morning Show aired by Arise News in Abuja.

The allegation by Akpoti-Uduaghan has continued to generate reactions across the country.

In a press release on Saturday, Executive Director of NCSCN, Blessing Akinlosotu, stressed that the development is a national embarrassment and a huge distraction to the progress of the National Assembly’s legislative business, which calls for serious attention and investigation.

The statement said: “The issue of sexual assault among top persons in Government is becoming worrisome in the country. This is the second time such an allegation is coming up against the Senate President, Sen. Akpabio.

“First was as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, whereby Joy Nunieh, Former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission – NDDC, in a public interview with Arise TV openly accused Senator Akpabio of sexually harassing her at his guest house in Apo, Abuja, during which she claimed to have slapped the then Minister. This became a heated national issue that almost derailed the operations of the NDDC, but was finally swept under the carpet.

“These ugly incidents involving sex scandals among government functionaries must not continuously be covered upon. Time has come for a clean-up exercise in Corporate Governance in Nigeria, and the Renewed Hope Administration of President Tinubu should be seen leading the way.

“Our Council has set up a Team of Investigative Journalists to look into the matter and report back within a week, after which we shall address a World Press Conference on our final position and findings.”

In this recent episode of allegations, Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that most of the intimate love calls from Akpabio came in the dead of the night and that she usually wakes her husband and puts the conversations on speaker.

She alleged that it was her refusal to yield to the sexual advances from Akpabio that is behind the hatred and antagonism against her.