Addressing journalists at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba said the allegation, “as it currently stands, contains significant contradictions and falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.”
Agbakoba, who also serves as Akpabio’s legal counsel, noted that while it is important to create an environment where individuals feel safe to speak up, such allegations must still adhere to principles of fairness and justice, particularly with regard to verifiable evidence.
The senior lawyer disclosed that, acting on instructions from the Senate President, he had written a formal letter to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan requesting clarification over “several contradictions” in her public allegations, which have garnered wide coverage in both local and international media.
“This widespread coverage has damaged our client’s reputation locally and internationally,” the letter read in part. “We are happy to allow you a reasonable time to clarify the contradictions we have referred, while our client reserves the right to all legal options.”
Agbakoba highlighted what he described as a “timeline contradiction” central to the case. According to him, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the harassment took place on December 8, 2023, yet the following day, December 9, she took to social media to publicly praise Akpabio and celebrate the same event in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, where the alleged incident occurred.
“In her posts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), she eulogised the Senate President and spoke glowingly about the birthday celebration,” Agbakoba said.
“The juxtaposition of an alleged traumatic harassment followed by such public admiration requires careful consideration.”
He added that while each case of sexual misconduct must be treated with seriousness and fairness, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s past accusations—such as those against former presidential aide Reno Omokri and an unnamed minister—suggest a pattern that should not be ignored in evaluating her credibility.
“Sexual harassment is a grave issue that demands a fair and rigorous examination,” Agbakoba said.
“We acknowledge the challenges faced by those making such claims, but also stress that due process through appropriate institutional mechanisms—not the media—is the proper route for addressing such allegations.”
The development has sparked fresh debate over how serious accusations by public officials should be handled, especially when they intersect with questions of timing, intent, and due process.
