The Senate has dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, ruling it procedurally flawed.
During a session on Wednesday, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, stated that the petition did not meet the required format. He pointed out that Akpoti-Uduaghan personally signed the document instead of having it endorsed by another individual, violating Senate Order 40. Additionally, he emphasized that the issues raised in the petition were already before the court, making them sub judice.
Despite being expected to appear before the committee at 2:00 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent. The hearing eventually began at 2:58 PM after the arrival of the committee chairman and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), who had also experienced delays.
The petition was triggered by a recent plenary incident, prompting Senate President Akpabio to refer it to the Ethics Committee for review. Senator Adaramodu informed his colleagues that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public dispute over her seating arrangement, as well as her interview with Brekete Family on Human Rights Radio and TV, had negatively impacted the Senate’s reputation.
After further deliberations, the Senate upheld its decision to have the Ethics Committee, led by Senator Imasuen, handle the matter.