Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba, has demanded that suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly retract her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, calling the claims “false, inconsistent, and unsubstantiated.”
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba revealed that he had sent a second formal letter dated April 22, 2025, after his initial correspondence on April 14 went unanswered by the embattled Kogi Central Senator.
Agbakoba, who serves as lead counsel to Senate President Akpabio, highlighted what he described as “glaring contradictions” in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s narrative, particularly concerning the timeline of the alleged harassment.
Contradictions Undermine Allegation – Agbakoba
According to Agbakoba, the Senator claimed she was sexually harassed by Akpabio on December 8, 2023, yet proceeded to praise him the following day on social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
“You failed to clarify your allegation from December 8, 2023, and instead deleted your own post from December 9 praising our client,” the letter reads. “This raises significant doubts regarding the authenticity of your claims.”
He further pointed out that the alleged incident was not made public until over a year later, during a televised interview in February 2025 — a delay he called “highly questionable.”
“Between December 2023 and February 2025, you were seen publicly and warmly engaging with Senator Akpabio at various events, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva,” Agbakoba added, while displaying screenshots of their interactions.
Satirical “Apology” Sparks Legal Reaction
The renewed demand from Akpabio’s legal team followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s controversial post titled “Satirical Apology Letter” — a sarcastic social media statement targeting what she described as “entitled and improper” behavior among Nigeria’s political elite.
In the post, she indirectly reiterated her claims of systemic misconduct within the National Assembly, accusing male lawmakers of expecting personal compliance from female colleagues in exchange for political support.
The satirical post, while not a direct apology, intensified debate surrounding the allegations and led to renewed media attention.
Timeline of Allegation and Suspension
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan first accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during a national interview on February 28, 2025. She alleged that the Senate President made inappropriate comments and indicated her bill would only receive support if she “took care of him,” even inviting her for a private meeting.
Akpabio swiftly denied the allegations, stating he had never harassed any woman and insisted the matter be left to the courts.
The Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, 2025, for six months without pay, citing “unruly and disruptive behavior.” Her official complaint was dismissed on procedural grounds, as it was not submitted through another senator, as required by Senate rules.
Her suspension followed an earlier dispute in the Senate over a seating change, which she perceived as punitive and humiliating. She later claimed the move was retaliation for rejecting Akpabio’s advances—a claim he also denied.
The Senate said it would consider lifting her suspension if she issued a formal written apology. So far, Akpoti-Uduaghan has refused.
Public Backlash and International Attention
The suspension sparked widespread protests under the banner #WeAreAllNatasha, with rallies in major cities including Lagos, Enugu, Edo, and Kaduna. Supporters have described her suspension as politically motivated and a violation of free speech and women’s rights.
Calling the suspension a “witch-hunt,” Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to the global stage, raising the issue during a Women in Parliament event at the United Nations. There, she described the Senate’s actions as “illegal” and appealed for international solidarity in her fight against “institutional sexism.”
Previous Clashes Between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan
This is not the first time both lawmakers have clashed publicly. In July 2024, Senate President Akpabio reprimanded Akpoti-Uduaghan during a plenary session, saying, “We are not in a nightclub,” after she spoke out of turn. The comment was widely condemned as sexist, leading to a public apology from Akpabio.
INEC Rejects Recall Petition
Meanwhile, a petition filed to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate was dismissed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which said it “did not meet constitutional requirements.”
