Senate President Godswill Akpabio is reportedly planning to temporarily step down to allow the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions (SCEPPP) to clear him of sexual harassment allegations.
The committee is expected to recommend an indefinite suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused Akpabio of harassment.
According to sources, both Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan will appear before the committee in the coming week. The investigation will be conducted by Senator Neda Imasuen’s committee, and the alleged plan involves presenting Akpabio as “officially innocent” of all allegations.
This development comes on the heels of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) against Akpabio.
The Senate had previously suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct, despite a court order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against her.
In response to the Senate’s disregard for the court order, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a contempt application against Akpabio.
The application serves as a notice of the consequences of disobeying the court order, which may include imprisonment.
The alleged plot to clear Akpabio and suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan indefinitely has raised concerns about the Senate’s handling of the situation. Some have called for Akpabio to step down permanently, citing the need for an impartial investigation.
