Olisa Agbakoba, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has written a second letter to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, demanding a retraction of her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter dated April 14, Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide evidence supporting her claim that Akpabio sexually harassed her on December 8, 2023.
The senate has since suspended the lawmaker based on the allegation.
Agbakoba said the latest letter became necessary after Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to respond to concerns raised in his earlier correspondence, noting that the senator had not clarified contradictions in her timeline and actions following the alleged incident.
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The senior lawyer added that, instead of explaining the discrepancy between the allegation and a social media post she made the following day praising Akpabio, the senator deleted the post.
“Recall that in our first letter to you, we requested clarification of contradictions in your allegation against our client, Akpabio,” the letter reads.
“Of note is the contradiction as to timeline and dates. You have failed to clarify your sexual harassment allegation on Dec. 8, 2023, and your exaltation of Akpabio on your social media accounts (Instagram and X/Twitter) on Dec. 9, 2023—the day after you alleged he sexually harassed you.
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“Rather than clarify this contradiction, you deleted the social media post, which to us is extremely concerning.”
Agbakoba said the burden of proof lies with Akpoti-Uduaghan, stressing that her conduct following the alleged incident undermines her claims.
He also questioned the delay in making the allegation public.
“You claim that the sexual harassment occurred on Dec. 8, 2023, but your allegation was not made until Feb. 28, 2025. One year and two months after,” Agbakoba queried.
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He noted that throughout 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan was seen at various events with Akpabio, both locally and internationally.
He referenced the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva on March 24 and 25, 2024, where the two were photographed together.
“In fact, you took several selfies and group photos with him during these events,” Agbakoba said.
“All these events were posted in warm tones by you on your social media platforms. Please see screenshot copies of your Facebook post(s) and other photos you took with Akpabio. We find this contradictory and unbelievable.”
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He said the senator had failed to address inconsistencies pointed out in the initial letter.
“In light of this and having also failed to clarify inconsistencies pointed out in our first letter to you, we demand that you retract the sexual harassment allegations against our client as they are clearly false and unsubstantiated,” he said.
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On Sunday, Akpoti-Uduaghan issued a satirical apology letter to Akpabio on her Facebook page.
In the letter, the senator expressed “deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret” for “the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect” in Akpabio’s presence.
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