Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and counsel to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has asked the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to clarify certain “contradictions” in her sexual harassment claims against his client.

Agbakoba, who is leading the legal team for Senator Akpabio, told journalists today in Lagos that the widespread publications of the harassment claims have damaged his client’s reputation locally and internationally, but more evidence is needed to support the allegations.

He called on Senator Natasha to provide further particulars and evidence to support her allegations submitting that the allegations as it currently stands falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.

In a letter dated April 14 and addressed to Senator Natasha, Agbakoba writing on the instruction of his client said while individuals should feel safe to speak up in society, the principle of justice requires that evidence and fairness must be upheld.

He noted that allegations, however serious, must be scrutinized with diligence and care to avoid situations where they are being weaponized for vendetta.

The lawyer listed the various platforms on which the allegations had been made and published and identified what he called timeline contradictions and previous allegations made by her which require more clarification and more evidence.

Agbakoba noted that Senator Natasha had claimed that she was sexually harassed by Akpabio on December 8, 2023, but she went on social media to eulogise the same Senate President a day after that.

He specifically pointed out that the warm, celebratory tone and personal affection expressed in the public message the suspended Senator posted a day after the alleged harassment presented a significant timeline contradiction that could not be overlooked.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that she was sexually harassed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on December 8, 2023.

“However, merely one day later, on December 9, 2023, she publicly posted favourable messages about the Senate President on both her Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.

“In these posts, she eulogised the Senate President and spoke highly of the birthday event she attended in Uyo, Akwa Ibom,” Agbakoba stated.

According to him, “the juxtaposition of these two events, an alleged traumatic harassment, followed by voluntary public expressions of admiration requires careful consideration.”

The former NBA President also mentioned previous allegations against Reno Omokri and an unnamed minister, noting that, though each allegation must be evaluated independently, as the suspended Senator’s pattern required careful consideration.

“In view of the above, we request Senator Natasha to provide more evidence particularly in furtherance your the fact that she previously stated she reserves the right to provide further particulars and evidence to support her allegations against the Senate President”.

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

“Sexual harassment is a serious matter that deserves careful and fair consideration. We acknowledge the difficulty faced by anyone making such allegations and the importance of treating all parties with dignity.

“Our review of the available public records reveals significant contradictions that must be considered for a fair evaluation of the situation.

“We believe that proper institutional processes, rather than media forums provide the appropriate venue for addressing such serious matters,”