‘Dead on Arrival’ – Senate Committee Strikes Out Natasha’s Petition  

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges has dismissed the petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.  

Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier presented a petition alleging sexual harassment by Akpabio on the floor of the Senate. However, the committee struck it out, citing procedural breaches and legal constraints.

Neda Imasuen, the committee chairman, explained that the petition was “dead on arrival” as it violated Order 40, Sub-section 4 of the Senate Standing Orders, which prohibits senators from submitting petitions they have personally signed.

“The petition that she (Natasha) presented today is actually dead on arrival; it runs contrary to Order 40, Sub-section 4, which states that no senator may present to the Senate a petition signed by him or herself. Since that petition was signed by her, it will not be entertained by this committee,” Imasuen said.

The committee also noted that the matters raised in the petition were already before a federal high court in Abuja, making them sub judice and beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.

The federal high court had previously issued an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with any disciplinary hearing on the matter.

During the committee’s deliberation, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate spokesperson, testified against Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition.

Titus Zam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, and the Sergeant-at-Arms also spoke in opposition to her claims.

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