Odinkalu warns: Similar allegations against Akpabio in past have gone without consequence, Natasha’s claim must not suffer same fate

Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu has warned against sweeping the allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that Senate President Godswill Akpabio demanded sex from her, which she said she refused.

The Kogi lawmaker said in an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show that her altercation with Akpabio began with his request for a sexual relationship between them.

Reacting to the allegation made by Natasha against Akpabio, Odinkalu said it must not be allowed to go the way of previous allegations.

Recall that Akpabio was in July 2020 accused by Joy Nunieh, a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of slapping Akpabio, who was then the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for sexually assaulting her.

“Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only Ogoni woman, the only Nigerian woman that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to take that money, he thought that he could come up on me,” while entertaining questions on an Arise TV programme at the time.

“He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money…by somebody telling me that he will make me the substantive MD. Akpabio’s meetings with me were either at Apo or Meridien…Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment.”

Odinkalu, commenting on his X handle said: “These allegations of crass #SexualHarassment by @NatashaAkpoti against @Senator_Akpabio are exceedingly serious &, sadly, hardly surprising. Similar allegations against Sen Akpabio in the past have gone without consequences. These will not suffer same fate.”