Sexual harassment: It’s time for Natasha to present the ‘evidence’ – Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has dismissed claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that a multi-billion-naira defamation suit against her was only recently filed.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, had taken to social media on Thursday alleging that Akpabio had just instituted legal action over her accusations of sexual misconduct against him.

Read also: Lawmaker raises concern over Akpabio’s ‘unparliamentary’ side meetings during plenary

But in a statement issued on Friday by Jackson Udom, his Special Assistant on Media, the Senate President said the suit was instituted more than three months ago following what he described as “grave and unsubstantiated” allegations capable of damaging his reputation.

According to Udom, progress on the case was stalled by routine judicial processes, including multiple failed attempts by court bailiffs to serve Akpoti-Uduaghan with court documents, efforts he alleged were deliberately frustrated by the senator.

He said the court subsequently granted an order for substituted service in November after an affidavit was filed to show that personal service had been unsuccessful.

“Her claim that the matter was ‘just filed’ is therefore false, misleading, and intended to distort public understanding of the case,” Udom stated.

He added that disputes of such nature should be addressed through the judicial system rather than “orchestrated narratives and staged outrage on social-media platforms.”

Udom also referenced Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier six-month suspension from the Senate, noting that she attempted to “delegitimise” the disciplinary action through online agitation before completing the sanction.

The Senate President’s media aide urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to respond in court and present evidence to support her allegations instead of making public claims.

“It is time for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present the ‘evidence’ she claims to possess before a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said. “The public, the media, and the legal community now await her defence.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan has repeatedly stood by her allegations and previously said she would defend herself if taken to court. She has yet to respond to Akpabio’s latest claims as of press time.

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