By Bukola Kayode
The first day of the hearing into the sexual harassment petition submitted against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio by the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan went south with Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi North, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, clashing over how to proceed during the hearing on Tuesday.
The clash occurred at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Ezekwesili was present at the hearing alongside Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the chief petitioner from Kogi Central, Zubairu Yakubu.
Tempers flared up the petitioner urged the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, to step down over the ‘controversial’ manner in which he had so far handled the alleged sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio.
“How can the chairman serve as a judge in a case where he has already publicly taken a position? What is the need for us to present our case when a verdict has already been given before hearing us?” Yakubu questioned.
He further alleged that some committee members had pre-existing ties to Akpabio, which he said compromised their ability to be neutral.
His remarks angered some lawmakers, who accused him of attempting to undermine the committee’s credibility.
The lawmakers were also angered by Ezekwesili for what they described as her insistence on forcing herself into the proceedings.
However, Ezekwesili insisted on being heard out.
She said, “I asked to be put on oath as a witness. I am a citizen of Nigeria.”
This led to a heated argument with Nwaebonyi, who lashed out at her, saying, “You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You’re an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here.”
Ezekwesili called him a “hooligan,” further escalating the altercation.
The verbal battle momentarily disrupted the hearing before order was restored.
In his intervention, the legislator representing Imo West, Senator Patrick Ndubueze appealed for calm before addressing the committee.
He said: “We should stop behaving like people in the marketplace. This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is sad to hear you (petitioner) say you don’t have confidence in the Senate. What it means is that not everybody here is trustworthy.
“Yes, we are all citizens of this country. But here, you must be recognised before you speak. That is the rule. We cannot just jump to answer questions because you are a petitioner. This is a Standing Committee”.
However, Imasuen adjourned the hearing indefinitely following observations that both Akpabio’s wife and Akpoti-Uduaghan have a case in court and the absence of the Kogi lawmaker to defend her allegation.
Be the first to comment