Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan would appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions (SCEPPP).
This is according to the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
He stated that other lawmakers too would narrate to the committee what they know regarding the alleged case of sexual harassment levelled against Akpabio by Natasha.
“All the parties involved would appear before the Committee, including the Senate President. He would come and testify and his testimony would be recorded, likewise other senators,” he stated.
Natasha, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on February 28 alleged that the incident occurred in December 2023 when she and her husband visited Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
She alleged that during the visit, the Senate President held her hand, led her around his house, and then made inappropriate advances towards her, even in her husband’s presence.
But Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North, accused his colleague of diverting attention, adding that the upper chamber is not perturbed by the allegation.
“In criminal prosecution, there is what we call prima facie evidence, that is evidence on the surface. If there is no prima facie evidence, then there is no case.
“She knows quite alright that what she is saying is to divert attention but we are not disturbed because we know the truth.
“On the alleged date of the incident, so many senators were there. I am one of the star witnesses, I will come and tell the world what I saw,” he added.