Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to launch an independent and impartial investigation into the sexual harassment allegations leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Â
In a statement released on Saturday via its official X account, the human rights organization emphasized the need for a transparent probe, stating that the severity of the allegations warrants immediate action.
“The weight and scale of the allegations of sexual harassment are one more pressing reason for establishing an independent, resourceful, and impartial investigation,” Amnesty International stated.
The organization also criticized the National Assembly for failing to address the matter, warning that ignoring such allegations could have dire consequences.
“The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain and are being trivialized, unaddressed, and ignored,” the statement added.
Amnesty International further warned that neglecting to investigate the claims would perpetuate a culture where survivors of sexual harassment struggle to seek justice, while perpetrators evade accountability.
“Blatant failure of the authorities to investigate the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will have devastating consequences, that include perpetuating a system that makes it increasingly difficult for survivors of sexual harassment to get justice, while allowing perpetrators to get away with gross human rights violations,” the statement read.
The organization called on authorities to use this case to demonstrate their commitment to tackling sexual harassment, regardless of who is involved.
“The fear of not being believed, or even being blamed, is already creating a dangerous culture of silence that prevents women who faced sexual harassment from seeking justice. The tide of sexual impunity against women and girls must be turned now,” Amnesty International urged.