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Natasha Under Pressure As Akpabio Replies Sexual Harassment Allegation
By Benjamin Abioye
Senior lawyer Olisa Agbakoba has raised doubts over Natasha Akpoti’s sexual harassment claim against Akpabio, citing key inconsistencies.
Prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has stepped into the spotlight, raising eyebrows over what he called “serious inconsistencies” in the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
At a press briefing in Lagos, Agbakoba, who is leading the legal team defending Akpabio, called for a balanced and evidence-based handling of the matter. While reaffirming his full support for the fight against gender-based abuse, he stressed the need for fairness, clarity, and due process.
“We respect and support the global and national efforts to create a safe and respectful environment for all, especially women in public life,” he said. “However, we must also uphold the principles of justice, which require fairness, objectivity, and evidence.”
Agbakoba pointed to what he described as a glaring contradiction in Senator Natasha’s timeline. According to her, the incident occurred on December 8, 2023. Yet, the following day, she made glowing social media posts praising Akpabio and reflecting on his birthday celebration.
“This juxtaposition — an alleged traumatic incident followed by voluntary public eulogies — presents a contradiction that must be carefully examined,” he said.
He also referenced her past public allegations, including a 2021 claim against a presidential aide that was later withdrawn, and a video where she accused an unnamed minister. While not dismissing the current allegation based on her history, Agbakoba stressed that the law demands consistency and supporting evidence.
“As the claim currently stands, it falls short of the global legal threshold for proving sexual harassment,” he added, urging that the matter be pursued through official institutions, not played out in the media.
In a letter dated April 14, Agbakoba’s legal team asked Senator Natasha to respond to the inconsistencies within two weeks before any further legal steps would be taken.
“Sexual harassment is a serious issue,” Agbakoba concluded, “but so is the presumption of innocence. Let the facts lead, not emotions.”
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