By Our Reporter
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed the sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The committee chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, made this known on Wednesday during a probe hearing at the National Assembly.
Imasuen, who represents Edo South, stated that the petition was “dead on arrival,” citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
According to him, Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another individual, making it procedurally invalid.
He further noted that the issues raised in the petition were already before a court of law, making them subjudice and therefore beyond the Senate’s jurisdiction.
Despite the committee’s scheduled hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear before the probe panel.
The session, initially set for 2:00 p.m., did not begin until 2:58 p.m., as the committee chairman waited for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu.