Legal luminary and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has described the sexual harassment allegation made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio as riddled with inconsistencies.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba emphasized that the claims, in their current form, do not meet the global legal standard required to prove sexual harassment.
While advocating for an environment where individuals can freely voice their experiences, he stressed the need for fairness and evidence-based justice.
Acting on behalf of the Senate President, Agbakoba issued a formal letter to the Kogi Central Senator, urging her to address and clarify several contradictions in her public statements, which had been widely disseminated across local and international platforms.
According to him, the extensive media coverage had tarnished Akpabio’s reputation, both at home and abroad.
“We’re giving her a fair opportunity to explain the contradictions, but our client reserves the right to explore legal remedies,” Agbakoba noted in the letter.
During the media briefing, Agbakoba pointed out a critical inconsistency in the Senator’s timeline. He explained that although Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the Senate President harassed her on December 8, 2023, she posted glowing remarks about him on social media the very next day, praising him and the birthday celebration she attended in Uyo.
According to Agbakoba, this apparent contradiction between the alleged incident and her subsequent public praise cannot be dismissed lightly.
He also referenced past allegations the Senator had made against other public figures, including Reno Omokri and a serving minister, stating that while each case should be assessed on its own merit, a recurring pattern was emerging that needed attention.
Agbakoba emphasized that sexual harassment is a grave issue and must be handled with sensitivity and due process.
He underscored the importance of institutional mechanisms over media trials in resolving such matters, ensuring all parties are treated with fairness and dignity.
