Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has issued a letter to suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling for a retraction of what he described as “her unsubstantiated sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.”
Agbakoba, whose law firm, Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), represents Akpabio, addressed the press on Tuesday in Lagos, where he explained the reasons behind the renewed demand.
This follows an earlier letter sent on April 14, in which Akpoti-Uduaghan was asked to provide evidence to support her claims.
The sexual harassment allegation, which stirred public reaction and led to the senator’s suspension by the Senate, has continued to generate controversy.
Agbakoba said the latest correspondence became necessary after Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to address contradictions identified in the original letter.
“Recall that in our first letter to you, we requested clarification of contradictions in your allegation against our client, Akpabio,” he said.
“Of note is the contradiction as to timeline and dates. You have failed to clarify your sexual harassment allegation on Dec. 8, 2023 and your exaltation of Akpabio on your social media accounts (Instagram and X/Twitter) on December 9, 2023, the day after you alleged he sexually harassed you.
“Rather than clarify this contradiction, you deleted the social media post, which to us is extremely concerning.”
Agbakoba further questioned the timeline between the alleged incident and when the accusation was made public.
“You claim that the sexual harassment occurred on December 8, 2023, but your allegation was not made until February 28, 2025. One year and 2 months after?”
“Additionally, rather than take up this serious allegation that occurred on December 8, 2023, you were seen throughout 2024 at several legislative and non-legislative events (locally and internationally) with Akpabio, your alleged harasser.”
“For example, you were seen together at the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva on March 24 and March 25, 2024. In fact, you took several selfies and group photos with him during these events.”
“All these events were posted in warm tones by you on your social media platforms. Please see screenshot copies of your Facebook post(s) and other photos you took with Akpabio. We find this contradictory and unbelievable.”
“In light of this and having also failed to clarify inconsistencies pointed in our first letter to you, we demand that you retract the sexual harassment allegations against our client as they are clearly false and unsubstantiated,” Agbakoba declared,” Agbakoba stated.
The renewed demand comes just a day after Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6, released a satirical “apology letter” addressed to Akpabio through her Instagram account.
The Senate had previously indicated her suspension could be lifted if she issued a written apology. While the senator did issue a letter, the satirical tone suggests she does not consider the matter closed.
In addition to the suspension, the Senate also withdrew her security aides, sealed her National Assembly office and barred her from identifying as a senator at any forum. Her salary and allowances have also been suspended.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
