The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During a probe hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, declared that the petition was “dead on arrival”, citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
According to Imasuen, Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another individual, rendering it procedurally invalid.
The Edo lawmaker noted that the issues raised in the petition were already in court, making them subjudice.
Despite the committee’s scheduled sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the probe panel.
The session, which was scheduled for 2 pm, did not commence until 2:58 pm when the committee’s chairman arrived after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu.
While Adaramodu eventually arrived at 2:50 pm, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from the hearing.
(Punch)