Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has sent a follow-up letter to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, again requesting her to retract her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Agbakoba had previously written to Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 14, demanding she provide evidence to support her claims.
These allegations led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the senate.
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Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba explained that the second letter was necessary because Akpoti-Uduaghan had failed to address significant inconsistencies in her accusations, as requested in his initial letter
He noted that instead of clarifying the contradiction between her allegation of sexual harassment by Akpabio on December 8, 2023, and her subsequent praise of him on social media on December 9, 2023, Akpoti-Uduaghan deleted the social media post.
“Recall that in our first letter to you, we requested clarification of contradictions in your allegation against our client, Akpabio,” the former NBA president stated.
“Of note is the contradiction as to timeline and dates. You have failed to clarify your sexual harassment allegation on Dec. 8, 2023 and your exaltation of Akpabio on your social media accounts (Instagram and X/Twitter) on Dec. 9, 2023 – the day after you alleged he sexually harassed you.
“Rather than clarify this contradiction, you deleted the social media post, which to us is extremely concerning.”
The prominent lawyer emphasized to journalists that regardless of any statements made about Akpabio, the responsibility to substantiate the allegation lies with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Agbakoba also requested that Akpoti-Uduaghan explain the extended period it took for her to come forward with the sexual harassment accusation.
“You claim that the sexual harassment occurred on Dec. 8, 2023 but your allegation was not made until Feb. 28 2025. One year and 2 months after?
“Additionally, rather than take up this serious allegation that occurred on Dec.8, 2023, you were seen throughout 2024 at several legislative and non-legislative events (locally and internationally) with Akpabio, your alleged harasser.
“For example, you were seen together at the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva on March 24 and March 25 2024. In fact, you took several selfies and group photos with him during these events.
“All these events were posted in warm tones by you on your social media platforms. Please see screenshot copies of your Facebook post(s) and other photos you took with Akpabio. We find this contradictory and unbelievable.
“In light of this and having also failed to clarify inconsistencies pointed in our first letter to you, we demand that you retract the sexual harassment allegations against our client as they are clearly false and unsubstantiated,” Agbakoba declared.
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