Human rights lawyer, Madubuachi Idam, has called for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Idam urged Akpabio to step aside while the investigation takes place, emphasizing that no one should use court orders to obstruct the process.
His statement comes amid growing controversy following allegations made by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti, who claimed that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her in the presence of her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan.
She further alleged that her refusal led to intimidation and the denial of certain legislative privileges.
Reacting to the allegations, Akpabio’s wife dismissed the claims, questioning whether Uduaghan was aware of them before they became public.
However, Uduaghan later confirmed that the Senate President had made multiple advances toward his wife.
Idam, in a statement on Sunday, praised Uduaghan for his composed response to the issue, describing him as a rare breed of man.
“I was struck to find that a point can be made even in the heat of anger without being disrespectful,” Idam stated.
He expressed concern over the potential impact of such behavior in the Senate, questioning how many female lawmakers might have faced similar situations in exchange for legislative support.
“A commission of inquiry has to be set up to investigate these allegations, and while that is ongoing, the Senate President must step aside to allow for a fair and discreet investigation,” Idam added.