Amnesty International has called for an “immediate and impartial investigation” into the sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
At different television appearances at home and abroad, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi central in the senate, has repeatedly stated that Akpabio made passes at her.
In a statement, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s country director for Nigeria, said the gravity of the allegations necessitates a thorough and unbiased probe, warning that inaction could have severe consequences.
“The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain and are being bizarrely trivialized, unaddressed and ignored,” the statement reads.
“Blatant failure of the authorities to investigate the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will have wider devastating consequences, that include perpetuating a system that makes it increasingly difficult for survivors of sexual harassment to get justice, while allowing perpetrators to get away with gross human rights violations.
“This is one case that the Nigerian authorities can use to show that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment — no matter who is involved.
“The fear of not being believed, or even being blamed, is already creating a dangerous culture of silence that prevents women who faced sexual harassment from seeking justice. The tide of sexual impunity against women and girls must be turned now.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained that her six-month suspension from the senate is an attempt to silence her.
The legislator was suspended from the senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following her seating arrangement altercation with Akpabio.