Natasha rejects settlement offer: Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has firmly rejected any possibility of an out-of-court settlement in her sexual harassment lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, emphasizing that the case must proceed through judicial channels.
In her formal reply to a letter from Akpabio’s legal representative, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), dated April 30, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan reiterated that her allegations are factual and stated that all further comments would be made in court, which alone has the authority to rule on the matter. She criticized Agbakoba for allegedly seeking evidence outside the court process in the ongoing High Court case (Suit No. CV/816/25), in which Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, is listed as the complainant.
“The evaluation of evidence lies solely with the court,” she wrote. “Your request for evidence at the request of your client reveals a basic misunderstanding of what sexual harassment entails under global standards. It reflects a reductive approach to a serious international concern. In my view, this is yet another attempt to downplay the gravity of the matter.”
She insisted that additional disclosures would be made strictly through legal proceedings and under court instructions, warning that any efforts to bypass the judiciary weaken the legal process.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also condemned what she called a media campaign allegedly led by Agbakoba on behalf of Akpabio, aimed at soliciting proof outside of court — an approach she said Akpabio avoided using his privileged status as Senate President.
“A litigant cannot simultaneously seek redress in court and campaign through the media. The prohibition against parallel adjudication is vital to upholding judicial integrity, fairness, and institutional respect,” she asserted.
Still on Natasha rejects settlement offer
Addressing criticism over a December 9, 2023, social media post in which she appeared to praise Akpabio, made just a day after the alleged incident, as well as images from the March 24–25, 2024 Inter-Parliamentary Union Session in Geneva, she said such public civility does not equate to consent or invalidate allegations of misconduct.
“Maintaining a civil demeanor in public settings does not amount to consent or invalidate misconduct claims. Suggesting otherwise trivializes the issue of sexual harassment, especially where power imbalances exist,” she clarified.
She also stated that she had not received earlier letters from Agbakoba and explained that her previous silence was based on legal advice and adherence to the lis pendens doctrine, which bars public discussion of matters already before the court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that two distinct lawsuits are presently in court:
- Suit No. CV/816/25 (Unoma Godswill Akpabio v. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, High Court of the FCT), which alleges defamation and sexual harassment, with ₦250 billion sought in damages.
- Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 (Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly & Others, Federal High Court, Abuja), which contests her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics without due process, her six-month suspension, and the revocation of her entitlements.
She emphasized that only one of these cases specifically addresses the harassment claims, and that resolution must come from the court—not the media.
Meanwhile, at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not reconciled contradictions in her narrative—particularly her December 9, 2023, commendation of Akpabio following the alleged incident on December 8. He noted that instead of clarifying the post, she deleted it.
In his April 22, 2025, letter, Agbakoba stated: “Rather than clarify the contradictions in your accusations, you chose to delete your social media post. This raises serious concerns.”
“Respect the Law” — E-Money breaks silence after EFCC arrest over Naira spraying
Would you like to Earn Money Online with just your mobile device?
If yes then click on the link below:
https://earnbean.ng/
