By Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a prominent lawyer and former head of the Nigerian Bar Association, has thrown serious doubt on the sexual harassment claims made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Speaking to reporters in Lagos, Agbakoba pointed out what he called “significant contradictions” in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s story.
Agbakoba stressed that while he believes victims should always feel safe to come forward, basic principles of fairness and the need for solid evidence can’t be ignored. He revealed that, acting on Akpabio’s instructions, he’s sent a letter to Akpoti-Uduaghan demanding she explain the inconsistencies in her public statements, which have been widely reported in the media, both locally and internationally. Agbakoba mentioned the damage those statements have caused to Akpabio’s reputation.
The core of Agbakoba’s argument rests on the timeline. He highlighted that Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges the harassment occurred on December 8, 2023. Yet, just one day later, she posted glowing messages about Akpabio on social media, praising his birthday celebration in Uyo. Agbakoba argued that this sudden shift from alleged victim to admirer simply doesn’t make sense.
“How can someone claim they were sexually harassed one day, and then publicly gush about the same person the next?” Agbakoba asked, noting the celebration tone and the personal affection expressed in the social media post. He stated that this timeline discrepancy is a serious problem for the accusers case.
Agbakoba also referenced Akpoti-Uduaghan’s past allegations against other figures, though he emphasized that each case must be judged on its own merits. He stated that this pattern of accusation requires further scrutiny. He made it clear that sexual harassment is a serious charge and should be handled with care and fairness.
Agbakoba concluded by saying that serious accusations like these should be dealt with through proper legal channels, and not through public media debates. He stated that the legal system is the correct venue to address these issues.
