Natasha’s Sexual Harassment Case is ‘Closed’ Declares Senate Ethics Committee Chair
Abuja – The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Neda Imaseun, has declared that the sexual harassment case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is “closed” within the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Imaseun made this statement on Tuesday in response to allegations from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Abiola Akiode, who accused him of bias in handling the matter.
Naijaonpoint reports that Imaseun stressed that the case, which had drawn considerable attention, had been concluded at the Senate level, with no further action to be taken.
Earlier, Akiode had called for Imaseun to step down as chairman of the Senate committee, arguing that his alleged bias compromised the integrity of the process.
“Our intention is that, if we are going to proceed, we want the chair to please step down from this conversation to allow for fairness and justice in accordance with the constitution of this country,” Akiode stated.
In response, Imaseun maintained that the matter was already before the courts and that the Senate committee would not interfere.
“Let me tell you, the first petition that came before us was signed by Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Contrary to our rules, you cannot sign your own petition. The petition that came before us did not even have an address. Contrary to our rules, that petition shouldn’t have been entertained,” Imaseun explained.
He further stated, “For the position that I can see you are taking, it means the whole Senate is biased. Because the whole Senate witnessed what happened. So, I don’t know what ad-hoc committee you are going to constitute that is not aware of what has been going on.”
Citing Senate rules, Imaseun referenced Order 40(7), which states that the Senate “should not receive or deliberate on any matter to which actions are pending in any court of law.”
“Therefore, the petitioner said he would not speak to his petition because the committee is biased. The respondent has just told us that this case is before a competent court of law. Therefore, this committee will allow the court of law, that will not be biased, to handle this matter,” he declared.
“Therefore, this matter is closed here at the Senate and it is adjourned sine die.” GMTNewsng
