Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, has asked Ekaette, the wife of Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to allow her husband to defend himself.
On Friday, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Mr Akpabio made sexual advances toward her in the Senate chamber.
She further alleged that the sexual harassment occurred during a visit to his country home in Akwa Ibom, recounting that the incident took place a day before her birthday.
Appearing on Arise TV, the Kogi senator claimed that Mr Akpabio’s alleged actions stemmed from her motion on corruption relating to Ajaokuta Steel, which she noted was repeatedly blocked from being heard on the floor of the Senate.
Although the wife of the Senate President, Ekaette, has denied the allegations of sexual harassment against her husband, she described Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims as false and a figment of wild imagination.
She explained that her husband had always been a disciplined, jovial man who respected women, especially those working with him.
Mrs Akpabio has also filed fundamental rights and defamation suits against the Kogi senator, demanding N250 billion in damages.
But in a letter dated March 1, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was not interested in involving Mrs Ekaette in the “unfortunate saga” surrounding the allegations against her husband, Nigeria’s Senate President.
The Kogi senator, through her counsel, Victor Giwa, stated in the letter that her allegations were directed at the Senate President personally.
She further asserted that Mr Akpabio has the capacity to defend himself and refute any of the allegations against him.
“Our client is not desirous of calling you out into the unfortunate saga concerning her allegations against the Senate President and wishes that you restrain yourself from delving into the obscene circumstances.
“While she has tolerated all the harassment from the Senate President, she was constrained to reveal the unfortunate torture and victimization she has endured in the Red Chambers,” the letter read.
It added, “Consequently, we would like to state that the allegations of our client are personal to the Senate President, and our client believes the Senate President has the capacity to defend himself and refute any of these allegations against him.
“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We will suggest that you leave the defence of the allegations for the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.”
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan has come under several attacks from supporters of Mr Akpabio since she alleged that he sexually harassed her in the Senate chamber and in his private home.
Many of Mr Akpabio’s supporters have also come out to defend him, sharing photographs of the Kogi senator interacting with the Senate President and other principal officers shortly after she arrived at the Senate.
