Lawyers commend Akpabio’s decision to step down from sexual harassment panel

A cross-section of legal practitioners has lauded Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to recuse himself from the presidential panel investigating allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The lawyers contend that Akpabio’s withdrawal was a demonstration of legal prudence and a move to avoid a conflict of interest.

The presidential panel, established by President Bola Tinubu on April 2nd, 2025, and headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was tasked with investigating the serious allegations that have generated national attention. The panel’s initial composition included representatives nominated by both Senator Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, alongside other high-ranking government officials.

In a statement issued on Friday, a prominent legal luminary and former president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, stated that Akpabio’s action was the correct one.

He decided not to be part of that committee, because if he is, there will be a serious assumption that he is an interested party. So, the best thing is for him to step down, which is the right thing to do,” Unegbu emphasised.

He further expressed that the recusal was a necessary measure to ensure the integrity of the investigation.

A Principal Partner at Deux Loadstar Chambers, Lagos, Adedotun Otakumaiya, echoed Unegbu’s sentiments, stating that Akpabio should be commended for respecting the principles of law.

I personally would say we get carried away by emotions. Because we must be able to separate the legal requirements from political requirements. The legal requirements, which preaches equity, equality and justice. The law says that you have to recuse yourself from a case because you can’t be a judge and jury in your own case,” Otakumaiya explained.

He further elaborated on the legal implications of Akpabio’s decision. “The Senate President has done the right thing by doing what the law or what morality states,” Otakumaiya said.

He acknowledged the political dynamics at play but underscored the importance of adhering to legal standards.

“In the arena of politics, that is what happens. And in the arena of law, this is what happens. He has done what the law requires, and that should be the guiding principle of any form of justice or equity.”

Otakumaiya also addressed concerns about Akpabio’s influence as Senate President.

“The fact is, he is the Senate President, and you can’t take that surface away from him right now. You can’t take the kind of power and influence he has because he is the one who is going to form the committee. He is the one who gives them the instruction that bestows powers upon them. So if I am in that position, I’ll bring people I know I can control. But within the ambit of the law, what he has done is right,” he reiterated.