Natasha Vs Akpabio: Senate Suspends Investigation Indefinitely

By Femi Ogundele

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has suspended the investigation of sextual harassment petition brought against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udanghan indefinitely.

The Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Bernard Imaseun announced the suspension after first hearing on Tuesday.

He noted that Senator Natasha and Senate President’s wife have already filed different cases in court.

Imaseun said the committee cannot hear petition that is currently in court.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the hearing turned chaotic as Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, engaged in a heated verbal exchange.

The fracas erupted during a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, where a fresh petition by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was being considered.

Ezekwesili attended the hearing alongside Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Abiola Akiode, and petitioner Zubairu Yakubu. The commotion started when Yakubu attempted to speak while Committee Chairman Neda Imaseun was still addressing the panel.

Yakubu was asked to mute his microphone, but Ezekwesili intervened. Senator Nwaebonyi, who appeared as a witness for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, interrupted her, sparking a sharp exchange.

“Compose yourself and stop making noise,” Ezekwesili told Nwaebonyi. In anger, the senator fired back, “You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? You’re an insult to womanhood.”

Ezekwesili responded, calling Nwaebonyi “a hooligan,” escalating the argument as committee members tried to restore order.