Sexual harassment: Natasha rejects out-of-court settlement proposal with Akpabio

The proposal was mooted By legal icon, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), who is Akpabio’s counsel.

Agbakoba, who suggested a resolution in the case by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, also urged her to substantiate her allegations.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan turned down the idea and insisted that Akpabio must be investigated.

When The Nation asked if she would accept to settle with Akpabio, the lawmaker said: “Out-of-court settlement? To settle how? Who? What about how I felt? I don’t know how to explain it.

“To me, am not looking for an out-of-court settlement. I don’t think I’m looking for an out-of-court settlement for today. As of now, an out-of-court settlement is out of it.

“I am not considering an out-of-court settlement because nobody has to suffer this amount of intimidation just because she is speaking out her truth.

“They should have investigated it. It is not about settlement, it is about justice. It is very painful that you subject somebody to so much.

“I am not looking forward to an out-of-court settlement. He should subject himself to an investigation.

“Besides, Akpabio is denting the image of the President. Akpabio’s actions are sending a negative signal on President Tinubu’s government.”

Agbakoba told newsmen in Lagos that he had urged Akpoti-Uduaghan
to provide more proof as she had promised to do in her media interviews, pointing out that her allegation against Akpabio has significant contradictions, and falls short proof threshold.

“We request Senator Natasha to provide more evidence, particularly in furtherance to the fact that she previously stated she reserves the right to provide further particulars and evidence to support the allegations against the Senate President,” he said.

“We feel like the allegation as it currently stands falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.”

According to the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, he also “honestly wishes” that the matter is resolved without going to court, adding that he had requested a meeting with Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers.

He noted that sexual harassment was a serious matter and deserved careful and fair evaluation.

However, Agbakoba said the review of the available public records revealed significant contradictions that must be considered for a fair evaluation of the situation, stressing that Akpoti-Uduaghan needed to explain her behaviour between December 8 and 9, 2023.

He wondered how Akpoti-Uduaghan, who claimed to have been sexually harassed  on December 8, which was her birthday and that of Akpabio, praised the Senate President on December 9.

“The timeline and dates are so contradictory. On one hand, you complained about sexual harassment on December 8, 2023,” the SAN noted.

“Yet, on the other, you praised Senator Akpabio who you allege sexually harassed you on December 9, 2023.

“The juxtaposition of these two events, an alleged traumatic harassment followed by voluntary, public expression of admiration requires careful consideration.

 “Allegations, however serious, must be scrutinised with diligence and care to avoid situations where they are being weaponised for vendetta.

“Our legal system is built on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and this fundamental principle must be respected, even in sensitive cases.”

Agbakoba also expressed surprise that Akpoti-Uduaghan had withheld the material evidence she said she had.

Agbakoba acknowledged that there is no defined or definite description of harassment, saying that it could be in words or behaviour and expressed doubt about any physical act between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio.

He pointed out that “98 per cent of what you see on social media is not court-useable” and so cautioned critics against unguarded emotion in the matter.