Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During Thursday’s plenary, Akpoti-Uduaghan reintroduced the petition after her initial attempt was rejected by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
This time, she stated that the petition was brought forward by her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu.
Following her presentation, Senate President Akpabio asked whether there were any legal barriers to accepting the petition, to which she responded that there were none.
Subsequently, Akpabio directed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate.
It was then referred to the Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, with instructions to review the matter and report back within four weeks.
The resubmission follows the controversy that erupted on Wednesday when Akpoti-Uduaghan first presented the petition.
At the time, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40.
He argued that the petition could not be entertained as the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing legal dispute involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.
Monguno further contended that since the petition was personally signed by Akpoti-Uduaghan, it should not be considered.
As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee initially dismissed it, declaring it inadmissible.
With the petition now resubmitted on behalf of her constituents, the matter has once again been placed before the Ethics Committee for legislative review.
