A Nigerian delegate at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting, Kafilat Ogbara, has urged the National Assembly to ensure a fair and transparent investigation into sexual harassment allegations levelled against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Mrs Ogbara, who chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, also called for the safeguarding of human rights and protection from intimidation for all parties involved in the allegations.
She made the call at a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
“I called for the following actions: A thorough and unbiased investigation; ensuring that all claims and defences are examined fairly and transparently; protection of all parties involved; safeguarding the rights of all individuals; and preventing any form of intimidation or retaliation, accountability and transparency,” she said.
Mrs Ogbara’s statement comes in response to complaint raised by Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, during the IPU meeting on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan reported her six-month suspension from the Senate and sexual harassment allegations against Mr Akpabio, where she sought international intervention.
She described her suspension from the Senate as unlawful and that it was a deliberate attempt to silence her for speaking out against alleged misconduct in the Nigerian upper legislative chamber.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan directly linked her suspension to her petition against Mr Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment.
She urged the IPU to intervene, noting that her fight was also for other Nigerian women who are facing similar challenges.
In response, President of the IPU, Tulia Ackson, said the global parliamentary organisation would take necessary steps on the issue reported by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, but it would also provide an opportunity for the Nigerian Senate to present its side of the story before taking any action.
Call for fairness
Mrs Ogbara, who represents Kosofe Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, urged members of the National Assembly to ensure that the allegations and the responses are examined fairly.
She advocated for the need to uphold institutional integrity and prevent any form of intimidation or retaliation that may arise in the course of the investigation into the allegations.
“Upholding institutional integrity by ensuring that due process is rigorously followed. As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that a fair and transparent resolution is achieved. Most importantly, ensuring that we uphold justice, fairness, and posterity to judge us right,” she said, as reported by Premium Times.
