Notable legal practitioners in Nigeria and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to step down temporarily towards ensuring an independent investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment raised against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The lawyers and CICLAC also advocated for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to be invited to handle the investigation, insisting that whoever is found guilty should be sanctioned.
The reactions trailed the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for violating Senate rules.
The Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, in a statement, described Apoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic.
According to CISLAC, the suspension directly violated Sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution, which outline the lawful processes for a legislator to lose their seat. The centre described the development as a dangerous precedent for legislative governance.
The group demanded the immediate reinstatement of Akpoti-Uduaghan and urged the Senate to retract its decision and uphold democratic principles and the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Rafsanjani noted that past judicial rulings have consistently declared legislative suspensions unlawful.
In the same vein, Dave Ajetomobi, former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, stated that the Senate no longer has jurisdiction over the allegation of sexual harassment because Akpabio’s wife has filed a suit on the matter.
“Once a case is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction, the Senate has no authority to intervene. Until the court delivers its judgment, both parties and their supporters will continue to engage in unnecessary rhetoric,” he stated.
Also, a rights activist and legal practitioner, Maduka Onwukeme, described the sexual harassment allegation made by Apoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio as a serious one. He suggested that an independent investigation be carried out to ensure a fair and transparent process.
“Under Nigerian law, the burden of proof lies with the individual making the accusation. I expect Senator Natasha, given her standing, to provide evidence to support her claims.
The rights of women are issues of global importance. How Nigeria handles this matter will shape the international community’s view of us,” he stated.
He recommended that the Senate pass a resolution to refer the petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Also, another legal practitioner and rights activist, Ige Asemudara, argued that the Senate should have given Apkoti-Uduaghan a chance to present her case. He criticised the senate leadership, particularly Akpabio, for not stepping aside to allow for a neutral investigation into the allegations.
Commenting on the suspension of Apkoti-Uduaghan, Asemudara asserted that the Senate should have allowed a full probe into the allegations before deciding on any disciplinary action.
He expressed the view that anyone found guilty in the investigation should be appropriately sanctioned, underlining the need for accountability and justice within the Senate.
