Senator NATASHA rules out out-of-court settlement with AKPABIO as she replies AGBAKOBA

Friday, May 2, 2025 - Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has ruled out an out-of-court settlement in her sexual harassment suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, insisting the matter must be resolved in court.

In a formal response to a letter from Akpabio’s legal counsel, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), dated April 30, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that her claims represent the truth and that further comments will be reserved for the courts, which alone have the jurisdiction to determine the matter.

She criticized Agbakoba for allegedly requesting evidence outside the legal proceedings already filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Suit No. CV/816/25), in which Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, is the complainant.

“The assessment of evidence belongs to the courts. Your demand for evidence at your client's behest suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of what constitutes sexual harassment under global protocols,” she stated. “It reflects a narrow view of a serious global issue. In my opinion, this is another attempt by your client to trivialize the matter.”

She added that any further details would be disclosed only through formal legal channels and in accordance with court directives, warning that attempts to sidestep this process undermine the rule of law.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also condemned what she described as a media campaign led by Agbakoba, allegedly on behalf of Akpabio, demanding proof outside judicial procedures — a process she says Akpabio himself avoided by leveraging his privileged Senate position

"A litigant cannot seek justice in court while simultaneously litigating in the media. The rule against parallel adjudication is essential to preserving judicial integrity, fair proceedings, and respect for all branches of government,” she said.

Responding to criticisms over her December 9, 2023, social media post acknowledging Akpabio at a public event — a day after the alleged harassment — as well as photos from the Inter-Parliamentary Union Session in Geneva (March 24–25, 2024), she said such civil interactions do not negate misconduct.

“Outward civility at public events does not imply consent or nullify claims of misconduct. Interpreting it otherwise minimizes the seriousness of sexual harassment, especially when it involves power dynamics in the workplace,” she explained.

She also denied receiving previous letters from Agbakoba and said her silence was guided by legal advice and respect for the lis pendens doctrine (the principle that matters already before the court should not be debated elsewhere).

Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that two separate legal cases are currently before competent courts:

Suit No. CV/816/25 (Unoma Godswill Akpabio v. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, High Court of the FCT), which involves claims of defamation and sexual harassment and seeks ₦250 billion in damages.

Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 (Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly & Others, Federal High Court, Abuja), which challenges her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics without fair hearing, her six-month suspension, and the withdrawal of her entitlements.

She emphasized that only one of the suits directly concerns the sexual harassment allegations, and that the court, not the press, is the proper forum for resolution.

Agbakoba, in a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, had insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to address contradictions in her allegations — specifically her public praise of Akpabio on December 9, 2023, following the alleged incident on December 8. He noted that she deleted the post rather than clarifying it.

In his letter dated April 22, 2025, Agbakoba stated, “Instead of addressing the contradictions in your allegations, you deleted your social media post. This raises serious concerns.”