Alleged sexual harassment: I have never harassed any woman in my life – Akpabio

After a six-day period of reticence, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has finally broken his silence, giving a studied response to the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Persecondnews reports that Akpabio made the denial on Wednesday during the Senate’s plenary session, which resumed after a week-long break.

He said: “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”

The Senate President said he had been receiving numerous calls regarding the allegation since February 25 and was also aware of the widespread discussions on social media.

Akpabio urged Nigerians and the media to avoid making conclusions, asking them to wait for the court’s decision.

Immediately after his remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a petition under Order 40, accusing him of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

She formally filed a petition to the Senate, which was subsequently referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for further investigation.

Persecondnews recalls that the Kogi born senator had on Friday, February 25, filed a N100.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

She claims that Akpabio tarnished her image with a defamatory Facebook post.

Also, the wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio, has filed multiple defamation lawsuits against Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday, February 28.

The lawsuits claim that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio are defamatory and have caused damage to the Akpabio family’s reputation.

Ekaette’s suits, which include a fundamental rights suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, aim to address what she describes as “scandalous and salacious” comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

She claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations have inflicted “emotional and psychological abuse” on her and her children, asking the court to issue a restraining order, preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further “spiteful” statements that infringe on her fundamental human rights.

The suit also demands the sum of N250 billion in exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages, in addition to any other orders the court deems necessary.