An affidavit detailing sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has surfaced. 

The differences between both senators escalated after Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in December 2023. She claimed Akpabio held her hand, led her around the house, and made suggestive remarks—even in the presence of her husband. 

Before the fallout, Natasha had refused to accept a new seat assignment in the Senate chamber. Her defiance led to a six-month suspension for what the Senate described as “misconduct.” The suspension, based on a report by the Senate Ethics Committee chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, also barred her from entering the National Assembly and required her to return all official property. 

Meanwhile, Senator Natasha dragged Akpabio to court over alleged misuse of office, sexual harassment and obstruction of legislative duties. The affidavit supporting the petition was sworn on March 8, 2025.

According to her affidavit, Natasha and her husband visited Akpabio’s home on December 8, 2023. During the visit, she alleged that Akpabio made unsolicited sexual advances toward her. 

“During this visit, Senator Akpabio made unsolicited and inappropriate sexual advances toward me while attempting to show me around his house,” she stated. 

She further alleged that Akpabio suggested she return alone for a private meeting and even mentioned converting part of his house into a nightclub for parties. 

“These comments, I believe, were inappropriate and an attempt to lure me into an unethical relationship, especially considering the relationship between my husband and himself,” she said. 

Natasha claimed that after rejecting Akpabio’s advances, he began systematically obstructing her legislative activities. 

She alleged that Akpabio deliberately ignored her motions on the Senate floor, including one on the revitalization of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, a key economic issue. 

“This motion was listed on the order paper more than five times. On several occasions, when the motion was scheduled for debate, the Senate President declined to consider it for reasons I believe were connected to my refusal to accede to his advances.”

Some senators, she said, advised her to approach Akpabio privately to resolve the matter. Despite her reservations due to their previous encounter, she met him in his office. 

However, instead of addressing her concerns, Natasha alleged that Akpabio reiterated his advances. 

“In his words, by my best recollection, he said: ‘Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate, and you can enjoy a whole lot from me if you take care of me and make me happy,’” she stated. 

She argued that Akpabio’s actions were not only inappropriate but also a misuse of his office to silence and intimidate her. 

“This is not the first time Senator Akpabio has been accused of such misconduct against women,” she added, referencing past allegations by Dr. Joi Nunieh, a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. 

In addition to the sexual harassment claims, Natasha alleged that Akpabio abused his position to undermine her role in the Senate. 

She stated that on January 30, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of five mini-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. 

As the Senator representing Kogi Central and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, Natasha was assumed to have influenced the project. 

Due to this perception, she alleged that Akpabio abruptly removed her as committee chair on February 4, 2025, to limit her involvement in the LNG project. 

“He championed media propaganda and publications through senior legislative aides advocating that the projects be relocated to the Niger Delta region,” she stated. 

She further claimed that Akpabio’s refusal to allow her to respond to serious allegations in the Senate was another act of malice. 

“I reserve my right to provide further particulars and evidence to support my allegations contained in the petition,” she concluded in the affidavit.