Agbakoba seeks truth in Akpabio harassment allegation

Olisa Agbakoba Legal, OAL, the legal firm representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, says it is fully committed to uncovering the truth behind the recent allegation of sexual harassment levelled against Akpabio by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, renowned human rights advocate and Senior Partner at OAL, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, emphasized the gravity of such an accusation and called for a measured, transparent approach to handling the matter.

“Allegations of sexual harassment are serious and must be treated with sensitivity, respect, and fairness to all parties involved,” Agbakoba stated. “We understand the courage it takes to bring forward such claims and the importance of preserving the dignity of everyone connected to the case.”

Agbakoba underscored that OAL’s interest in the matter is purely legal and principled, asserting that justice must be served through proper institutional frameworks rather than public opinion or media narratives.

“We have accepted this brief not to shield anyone, but to support a fair and lawful process. As someone with three daughters, I do not take issues of sexual harassment lightly,” he said. “That is why I’m personally open to meeting with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and her legal team to engage constructively.”

While reaffirming the need to support individuals who come forward with allegations, Agbakoba also stressed the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. He called for restraint from all sides and urged the public and media to avoid trial by sentiment.

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“Both the accuser and the accused deserve a fair and impartial process. The integrity of our democratic institutions depends on our ability to uphold justice without bias. Let facts guide us, not emotions,” he added.

Agbakoba also pointed out that matters of this nature, especially involving public office holders, must be resolved within the frameworks of the law to safeguard both individual rights and the credibility of governance structures.

“We must not allow this case to devolve into a media spectacle. The rule of law, transparency, and institutional accountability must be our guiding principles,” he said.

This comes in the wake of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, which has stirred public interest and debate across various platforms. The senator was recently suspended from the Senate, though it remains unclear whether the suspension is related to the allegation.

OAL’s proactive stance signals a potential shift from combative legal strategies toward a more conciliatory and open process, aimed at establishing the truth while preserving institutional trust.

As the case continues to develop, all eyes remain on how Nigeria’s legal and political systems handle this high-profile controversy — with the hope that justice, in its truest form, will prevail.

NAN