The Senate has thrown out the petition filed against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, declaring that the petition by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Natasha (PDP, Kogi Central) “is dead on arrival.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuen, made the pronouncement on Wednesday at a public hearing raised for the purpose of investigating some alleged misconduct against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Natasha (PDP, Kogi Central).
According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself, instead of having it endorsed by another individual, rendering it procedurally invalid.
Additionally, he noted that the issues raised in the petition were already in court, making them sub judice.
Despite the committee’s scheduled sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the probe panel.
Imasuen also dismissed the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Senate from subjecting Natasha to any disciplinary measures.
According to him, since Senator Natasha had filed a sexual harassment case in court against Akpabio, the committee cannot entertain her petition on the same subject.
Imasuen added that by rule, the Senate and its committees do not entertain petitions that are already before any court.
The Senator cited the principles of separation of powers for rejecting the court order restraining the Senate from taking disciplinary measures against the female senator.
“The Legislature is a separate arm of government and another arm of government cannot dictate to the other,” Imasuen said.
The session, set for 2pm, did not commence until 2:58pm when the committee’s Chairman arrived after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50pm, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent as the session began.
The matter had been referred to the Ethics Committee two weeks ago following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions during a plenary session.
Senate President Akpabio subsequently directed the committee to conduct a thorough investigation and report back within two weeks.
During deliberations, Adaramodu informed the Senate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public challenge of the Senate President over her seat allocation had damaged the Senate’s image.
He also referenced an interview she granted to Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, where she reiterated her allegations against Akpabio.
Following these discussions, the Senate resolved to push the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen, for further review.
