Breaking…Senate dismisses petition against Akpabio, declares it ‘dead on arrival’

The Nigerian Senate has dismissed the petition filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring it “dead on arrival.”

The decision was announced on Wednesday during a public hearing convened to investigate allegations of misconduct involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, made the pronouncement, effectively shutting down any further deliberation on the petition.

Additionally, he dismissed the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which had restrained the Senate from taking disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to him, since Senator Natasha had filed a sexual harassment case in court against Akpabio, the committee cannot entertain her petition on the same subject.

Imasuen added that by rule, the Senate and its committees do not entertain petitions that are already before any court.

Senator Imasuen cited the principles of separation of powers for rejecting the court order restraining the Senate from taking disciplinary measures against the female senator.

“The legislature is a separate arm of government and another arm of government cannot dictate to the other,” Imasuen said.

More details to follow…