with agency reportThe Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said she stood by the sexual harassment allegation she levelled against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Diaspora and Nongovernmental Organisations also vowed never to apologise to the Senate for speaking the truth.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the declaration in a statement she signed and made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, despite allegedly apologising to the red chamber.
The statement read, “I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stand firm in my resolve to never apologise for speaking my truth. The desperation to silence me is palpable, but I will not be intimidated.
“The games being played in full view of the Nigerian people will be exposed, and the corrupt individuals who have hijacked our institutions will be held accountable. As a senator, I have a duty to represent my constituents and uphold the principles of justice and transparency.
“My allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio were not made lightly, and I will continue to seek justice and accountability, no matter the cost. My six-month suspension is a clear case of political victimisation, but I will not be deterred.
•Vows never to apologise to Senate
“I will continue to fight for Nigerian women’s rights and ensure our voices are heard. I urge the public to ignore the viral report claiming that I apologised to the Senate, as it is entirely false. I will continue to stand by my truth and fight for what is right, even in the face of adversity,” she vowed.
•Court vacates order stopping INEC from receiving petition for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has vacated the Ex-parte Injunction earlier granted to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 20.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court, who gave the order setting aside the injunction he granted, also ordered the acceleration of the case before him.
Dashen had on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, agents, privies, or assigns from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition containing the signatures of Kogi Central Senatorial District members.
The court also stopped INEC from conducting any referendum upon such petition to initiate a recall process of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the determination of the Motion on Notice to the same effect.
However, INEC, through its Counsel, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu (SAN), made an oral application to set aside the exparte injunction granted to Akpoti-Uduaghan and for an accelerated hearing of the case.
Aliyu argued that the Federal High Court, under constitutional provisions, does not have the jurisdiction to stop a constitutional body like INEC from carrying out its constitutional function.
“I hereby make an oral application by the pronouncement made by the Court of Appeal in the case between EFCC v Bello for the interim injunction to be discharged. Also, under Order 26 rule 5(1) of the Federal High Court, we strongly apply for the accelerated hearing of the case,” he argued.
The applicant’s Counsel, Mr West Idahosa (SAN), objected to the application to vacate the interim injunction granted to Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Idahosa argued that a constitutional duty could be restrained when complainants raise illegality, as in the plaintiff’s case.
“This is because every rule has an exception. More so, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that when a case of illegality is brought before a court, it will first look at it to be sure whether it’s true. The plaintiffs in this matter said that there’s an illegality of forgery backed with a valid Affidavit before this honourable Court,” he said.
Idahosa said the court was inherent in its duty to do justice, as provided for in Section 6(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He, however, asked the court not to allow the application for vacation from the institution.
Justice Dashen, after listening to both parties, granted the application, vacated the interim order, and ordered the acceleration hearing of the case.
He adjourned the case to April 9 for a hearing.
•Constituents submit petition to INEC for her recall
Some constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have submitted a petition to INEC for the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Charity Ijese, on behalf of the constituents, presented the petition, which was received by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Anthony, at the INEC headquarters yesterday.
The petition was titled, ‘Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’.
The constituents said, “In particular, this petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.”
They affirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged from an Appeal Court decision in October 2023 but said the petition arose because they lost confidence in her representation.
“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on the grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.
“By this petition, which we have made sure is signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant,” the constituents said.
