The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, has dismissed the sexual harassment petition submitted by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Earlier today, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan tendered a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.
The committee rejected the petition, citing breaches of due process, and legal limitations.
Sen. Neda Imaseun, Chairman of the committee, said Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan personally signed the petition, instead of securing another person’s endorsement, making the document legally defective and invalid.
Sen. Imasuen, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, said the petition was “dead on arrival” because it violates “Order 40 of the senate standing order”.
“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,” the committee chairman said.
Read also: Senator Natasha files sexual harassment petition against Senate President Akpabio
He added that the issues raised in the petition were already being addressed in court, making them sub judice and beyond the Senate’s authority.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, had issued an order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from continuing the disciplinary hearing.
Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate spokesperson, provided testimony against Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, during the panel’s deliberation on the matter.
Sen. Titus Zam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, alongside the sergeant-at-arms, also testified in opposition to Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.