Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has stated that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had once accused him of sexual harassment.
The ex-presidential aide shared details of the past controversy involving him and Senator Natasha while describing it as an unpleasant experience.
In a statement released on Saturday, Omokri explained that the incident stemmed from an altercation on social media involving an acquaintance of Akpoti.
He noted that he was able to clear his name due to concrete evidence proving he was not in Nigeria at the time the allegations were made.
“I have been inundated with interview requests from nearly all major media outlets in Nigeria regarding the allegations involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti,” Omokri stated.
“Since I was once accused by Senator Akpoti of a similar serious allegation, the media sought my perspective on the matter.”
Omokri recounted that his dispute with Akpoti began when he rejected advances from a woman, who was reportedly a friend of the senator.
Following this, Akpoti accused him of sexual harassment, claiming the incident occurred at Aso Rock Presidential Villa during a reception for visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta between May 4 and May 7, 2014.
However, Omokri refuted the allegations by presenting verifiable evidence. “At the time in question, I was in the United States as President Jonathan’s special envoy, meeting with various U.S. officials, including representatives from the State Department in Washington, D.C.
“I also shared proof, including my First-Class British Airways ticket and a diplomatic passport with a distinctive visa stamp, to confirm I was not in Nigeria during the alleged period,” he explained.
Following the release of this evidence, Omokri claimed Akpoti deleted all traces of the allegations against him, including a video in which she criticized him, his wife, and their newborn daughter.
He further disclosed that he had considered legal action for defamation but was persuaded to settle the matter out of court after an influential figure from his ethnic group intervened.
A respected Christian clergyman facilitated the resolution, leading to an amicable settlement.
“After a distinguished individual from my ethnic nationality reached out to a prominent cleric, I was encouraged to settle the matter.
“The gentleman spoke to me in my native Itsekiri language and sincerely expressed regret over the situation. Out of respect for the mediator, I agreed to an out-of-court resolution,” Omokri stated.
Now, as media attention resurfaces due to the allegations against Senate President Akpabio, Omokri has urged journalists to respect his privacy, emphasizing that he has no desire to be drawn into the ongoing controversy.
Regarding the Senate, Omokri expressed confidence in the institution and suggested that the appropriate committee conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the truth of the current allegations against the Senate President.
His statement comes amid accusations of sexual harassment levelled against Nigeria’s third-highest-ranking official by Senator Akpoti.
