Amnesty International has called for an independent probe into the allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The human rights organization made this demand in a statement on X, signed by Isa Sanusi, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to immediately institute an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio,” Sanusi stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that Akpabio had been suppressing her legislative rights after she rejected his advances.
According to her, she has been prevented from participating in debates and raising issues affecting her constituents in the Senate.
While Akpabio has denied the allegations, the Senate later suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing what it described as her “unruly conduct.”
Amnesty International emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, warning of the broader consequences of inaction.
“The weight and scale of the allegations of the sexual harassment are one more pressing reason for establishing an independent, resourceful and impartial investigation.
“The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain and are being trivialized, unaddressed and ignored.
“Blatant failure of the authorities to investigate the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will have devastating consequences, that include perpetuating a system that makes it increasingly difficult for survivors of sexual harassment to get justice, while allowing perpetrators to get away with gross human rights violations.
“This is one case that the authorities can use to show that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment, no matter who is involved.
“The fear of not being believed, or even being blamed, is already creating a dangerous culture of silence that prevents women who faced sexual harassment from seeking justice. The tide of sexual impunity against women and girls must be turned now,” Sanusi stated.
