Senate’s failure to probe Natahsa’s sexual harassment claim against Akpabio will have devastating consequences: Amnesty International
Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has called for an impartial investigation into Senator Natahsa Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The human rights organisation in a statement on Saturday said that failure to establish “an independent, resourceful and impartial investigation” into Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations would have devastating consequences.
“Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to immediately institute an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio. Blatant failure of the authorities to investigate the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will have 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,” Amnesty International said.
According to Amnesty International, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Mr Akpabio is one case that the authorities can use to show that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment – no matter who is involved.
It added, “The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain and are being trivialized, unaddressed and ignored.”
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who the Senate said was suspended for six months over unruly behaviour, accused Mr Akpabio of sexually harassing her, insisting that her suspension was a plot to silence her.
Mr Akpabio has repeatedly denied harassing Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Diaspora
ICE nabs Chimaobim Igbojekwe, campaign canvasser for Democrat Janelle Stelson, for illegal stay, public nudity
Mr Igbojekwe was caught in public with his pants off, fully exposing himself, in a residential neighbourhood near a park with residents, including children.
Economy
World Bank upgrades Nigeria’s growth outlook amid Tinubu’s reforms, urges job creation, poverty alleviation
It warned, however, that growth remained too weak to generate sufficient productive employment and significantly reduce poverty.
Showbiz
Actor Femi Adebayo unveils entertainment hub in Lagos
Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Femi Adebayo, on Tuesday unveiled an entertainment hub, a film and media production facility in Oregun, Lagos.
Politics
Tinubu’s door-to-door movement suspends campaign over plane crash
The President Bola Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement has suspended its campaign activities for one week following the killing of military operatives in an aircraft crash.
States
Gov Mbah appoints Richard Agu as transport commissioner
Mr Ozor resigned after an alleged Economic and Financial Crimes Commission probe into embezzlement of billions of naira.
Lagos
Yoruba leaders establish platform for unity, collective action
Yoruba leaders across socio-political and advocacy groups have established Yoruba Parapo as a central platform for unity, consultation and collective action.
