Taoreed Abdullahi
Renowned legal luminary and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has described the sexual harassment allegation levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as contradictory and legally insufficient.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Dr. Agbakoba, who also serves as legal counsel to Senator Akpabio, noted that the claim, “as it currently stands, falls short of the global threshold required to prove sexual harassment.”
He emphasized that while it is essential in any civilised society for individuals to feel safe enough to voice allegations, such claims must be weighed against principles of justice, including the need for consistency, credible evidence, and fairness.
In a letter written on behalf of Akpabio to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Dr. Agbakoba demanded clarification regarding key contradictions in her account, which has gained significant traction in local and international media.
“This widespread coverage has seriously harmed our client’s reputation. We are willing to allow you a reasonable time to address the contradictions raised, while our client reserves the right to pursue legal redress,” the letter read.
Dr. Agbakoba specifically highlighted the inconsistency between the date of the alleged harassment—December 8, 2023—and the favourable social media posts made by the senator the following day. According to him, Akpoti-Uduaghan not only attended the event in Uyo but also praised Senator Akpabio in glowing terms across her Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) platforms.
“The juxtaposition of these two events—an alleged traumatic experience followed by affectionate public praise—cannot be ignored. It demands serious scrutiny,” he said.
The senior advocate also referenced similar past allegations involving public figures like Reno Omokri and a serving minister, stressing that each case must be assessed independently but with equal rigour. In his view, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s narrative raises enough questions to merit a deeper, institutionally guided review rather than trial by media.
“Sexual harassment is a grave matter that must be addressed thoughtfully and fairly. While victims deserve empathy, the rights of the accused to due process must not be overlooked. Serious allegations such as this require proper institutional handling, not media sensationalism,” Agbakoba concluded.