The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday descended into confusion and chaos over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio.
Natasha rose on Order 10 of the Senate Rules to allow her petition against Akpabio to be admitted and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Natasha presented her petition against the Senate President after Akpabio earlier in his address declared that he had never harassed any woman in his life.
Senator Mohammed Monguno through Order 40, drew the attention of the chamber to the fact that the Nigerian Senate lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter as it has been taken to court.
Citing relevant ‘Orders and Rules’ guiding Senate proceedings, Monguno submitted that “the power to debate on the allegation of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio has been taken away”.
He maintained that any attempt to debate on the matter would be subjudice and an affront to the powers of the court, maintaining that the court be allowed to adjudicate on the matter