Ezekwesili Calls for Independent Investigation and Public Hearing on Natasha’s Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Akpabio

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and human rights advocate, has called for an independent investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She condemned what she described as a lack of transparency in the handling of the case.

In a post on her X account on Thursday, Ezekwesili urged the Nigerian Senate to take immediate steps to restore public trust in its investigative processes.

She made two key demands: the appointment of an independent investigator to look into the petition, and the public airing of the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee’s proceedings on the matter. She emphasized that the proceedings must be conducted in a way that ensures full transparency and that Akpabio, the accused, does not preside over them.

“The Petition of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must be independently investigated and openly discussed in a public hearing where the accused does not preside,” Ezekwesili stated.

Ezekwesili also criticized the Senate’s handling of the issue, underscoring that the National Assembly belongs to the people of Nigeria, not to politicians. “No individual, nor any group of individuals, can hijack a public institution for their personal benefit,” she declared.

She further condemned the Senate’s decision to dismiss Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition, labeling it a “democratic aberration” that should not be allowed to stand.

“What happened yesterday (Wednesday) in the Senate Chamber, where a Senate President presided over a serious matter involving him, was farcical and a stain on our democracy,” she remarked.

Ezekwesili stressed the importance of taking the petition seriously, urging the Senate to act quickly to protect its institutional integrity. “It is in the public interest that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition be urgently addressed to preserve the integrity of our Senate,” she wrote.

Her call for an independent probe and public hearing follows growing concerns over the Senate’s handling of allegations against its leadership. Many Nigerians and civil society organizations have expressed similar views, calling for greater accountability and due process.