Senator Natasha Turns Down Out-Of-Court Deal, Stands Firm On Harassment Allegations Against Akpabio

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, has firmly turned down an out-of-court settlement suggested by Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), the legal representative of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The senator, who previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, made it clear that she does not believe the issue should be resolved outside of court and called for a full investigation into her claims.

In an interview with The Nation, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her strong dissatisfaction with the proposed settlement, saying, “Out-of-court settlement? To settle how? Who? What about how I felt? I don’t know how to explain it. I am not looking for an out-of-court settlement for today, and as of now, it is out of it. I don’t think I’m looking for it because nobody has to suffer this amount of intimidation just because she is speaking out her truth.”

She emphasized that the priority should be justice, not a settlement, stating, “It is not about settlement; it is about justice.” The senator also criticized Akpabio’s behavior, asserting that it sends a negative message about President Tinubu’s administration. “He should subject himself to an investigation,” she added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rejection of the settlement offer follows Agbakoba’s request for her to provide more substantial evidence to back up her allegations. The lawyer had previously argued that her claims lacked sufficient proof to meet the required legal threshold for a sexual harassment case.

In his response, Agbakoba urged the senator to present further evidence, especially after she had earlier indicated that she would do so. He also raised concerns over apparent contradictions in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements, particularly the timeline of the alleged incident.

“Allegations must be scrutinized with diligence and care to avoid weaponizing them for vendetta,” Agbakoba said. He pointed out the inconsistency between Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public praise for Akpabio on social media shortly after the alleged harassment, asking, “On one hand, you complained about sexual harassment on December 8, 2023, but on the other, you praised Senator Akpabio who you allege sexually harassed you on December 9, 2023?”

Agbakoba also noted that, despite describing the harassment as occurring on December 8, Akpoti-Uduaghan had continued to publicly praise Akpabio the next day, including lauding his birthday event in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He questioned the senator’s motivations and urged the public to consider these contradictions carefully.