Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Slams Olisa Agbakoba Over Demand for Evidence in Sexual Harassment Case
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has fiercely responded to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olisa Agbakoba, who recently demanded she provide evidence of her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a strongly-worded letter dated April 30, Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her commitment to seeing the case through in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, stating that her petition represents “the truth of the events complained about.” She insisted that the court, not Agbakoba or the public, is the appropriate venue for assessing the evidence in such a sensitive matter.
The demand for evidence, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued, misrepresents legal procedures and undermines global standards for handling sexual harassment cases. She explained that, according to international legal protocols, evidence should only be disclosed in the course of legal proceedings, not prematurely as Agbakoba had demanded.
In her response, she called Agbakoba’s actions an attempt to distort the legal process and said it reflected a narrow view of sexual harassment. She pointed out that Agbakoba’s request to force her into sharing evidence early was a deliberate attempt to shift the matter from the courts to the public, damaging the integrity of the legal process.
She further criticized Agbakoba’s apparent media campaign on behalf of Akpabio, accusing him of trying to influence public opinion instead of allowing the judicial system to do its work. “A litigant may not approbate in the courts and reprobate in the press,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said, emphasizing the importance of fairness and dignity in legal proceedings.
While Agbakoba had earlier pointed to inconsistencies in her claims and called for a formal retraction, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains resolute. She made it clear that any further disclosures will happen only under the direction of the court, maintaining that the case will be determined solely by judicial processes.
As the case now moves forward in the FCT High Court, both sides are locked in a legal and public battle. The court will ultimately decide the validity of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims and the evidence presented.
