Senate lacks jurisdiction to entertain Natasha’s sexual harassment allegation

The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Mohammed Monguno has said that the Red Chamber lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the sexual harassment allegation brought before it by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President.

Speaking during the plenary on Wednesday, the chief whip while quoting Order 40, rule 7 of the Senate Standing Order, said the matter was already before a court of law.

He said it would be against the Senate rule to deliberate on a matter that has been filed before a court by the same author.

Monguno’s reaction followed the submission of a sexual harassment petition against Godwill Akpabio by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Kogi Central lawmaker submitted her petition before the Senate presided over by Akpabio on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

However, making his submission on the matter on the floor of the Red Chamber, Monguno said they (lawmakers) are required to abide by the rule of the Senate which does not allow it to deliberate on matters already before the court.

He said, “The matter is in the court of law. Senator Natasha herself has gone to court in respect of this matter, and also the wife of the Senate President has equally gone to court for this matter.

“The Senate, therefore, does not have the jurisdiction to entertain this matter. That the matter should be referred to the ethics and petition committee is not necessary,” Monguno said.