Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the spokesperson for the Senate, has clarified that the sexual harassment allegation leveled by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is not currently before the Senate for consideration.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Adaramodu stated that the only issue presently before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions concerns Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged failure to comply with the Senate’s standing orders.
“The only matter before the Senate is between Senator Natasha and the rest of the senators, regarding her non-compliance with the Senate’s standing orders. No other issue has been formally brought forward,” he said.
He further explained that if any new allegations arise, including those against any senator, they would be reviewed by the Ethics Committee once officially referred.
“If any issue is raised tomorrow concerning a senator, the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions will review it as an internal affair. In the hallowed chamber, whatever we do or say is not actionable in court, so the committee will handle matters as they come,” Adaramodu stated.
He also emphasized that the Senate President does not interfere in committee proceedings, as the committee operates independently.
“The Senate does not dictate the committee’s operations, and the Senate President does not control its members. It is an independent committee,” he added.
