Why We “throw” Natasha’s fresh petition to Akpabio – Senate Panel

Neda Imaseun, chairman of the Senate Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee, explained why Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio was abandoned by the panel.

During a sitting Tuesday, March 25, the team announced that the sexual harassment case was filed before it was closed.

Imasun said that a reason was made for this, saying that Senator Akputi-Udoahhan’s first petition was signed by himself, which violated Senate law.

Imaseun spoke on Tuesday, responding to comments from Abiola Akiode, attorney for Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused him of being biased.

Earlier, Akiode asked Imaseun to resign as chairman of the Senate panel.

“Our intention is that if we are to move forward, we want the President to resign to allow fairness and justice to be established under the constitution of the country,” Akiode said.

Imaseun responded that the case was already in front of the court and the committee would avoid it.

“Let me tell you that the outstanding Senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan signed the first petition before us. Contrary to our rules, you cannot sign your own petition. The petition before us did not even speak. Contrary to our rules, this petition should not be entertained.

“Anyway, for the position I can see you’re accepting, it means there’s a bias throughout the Senate. Because the whole Senate has witnessed what happened. So, I don’t know what you’re going to form an interim committee that doesn’t know what happened.

“The learned interviewee (Akpabio’s lawyer) just told us that the matter was before the court and I will resolve it through our Rule Book. I will pass our Rule Book 40 (7) order saying: ‘The Senate should not have any action yet or intentionally act in any court.” This is our Rule Book.

“The petitioner therefore said that because of the bias of the committee, he would not address his petition, and the defendant just told us that the case was before the competent court and, therefore, the committee would allow the court to allow the court to (not be biased) to handle the matter.

“So, this matter was closed in the Senate and was adjourned by the sinusoidal death.”

Meanwhile, Akpoti-uduaghan filed a contempt application for Imasuen and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.