A group of lawyers have expressed support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to step down from a presidential panel investigating sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The lawyers argue that Akpabio’s withdrawal was the right thing to do, as his involvement could have been perceived as a conflict of interest.
The panel was established by President Bola Tinubu on April 2nd, 2025, headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with a mandate to investigate the serious allegations that have drawn national attention and embarrassment.
Other members of the panel included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; and one representative each nominated by Senator Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, a prominent lawyer, stated that Akpabio’s decision was honourable and in line with legal principles.
Justifying Akpabio’s action, the one-time president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), said, what he did was the right thing.
“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 stressed.
Unegbu also questioned the necessity of the investigation, saying, “For a country like this, with all human and material resources, with so many things available in this country, with good weather, with everything going for us, we are supposed to be a big world economy, a big world power. But unfortunately, because of the type of leaders we have, we are not getting the best out of them. So, my conclusion is that they should close this matter as soon as possible so that the country can make progress.”
Another lawyer, Adedotun Otakumaiya, echoed similar sentiments, saying Akpabio should be commended for respecting the law.
Otakumaiya, who is the Principal Partner at Deux Loadstar Chambers, Lagos, said rather than blame Akpabio, he should be applauded for respecting the position of the law in such a matter.
“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 maintained.
Otakumaiya also acknowledged the complexities of politics, noting, “On the other hand, he’s a politician and the political arena is hardly guided by any law. You have to use your connection, your influence to make sure you get the results you want.”
Waxing philosophical, the Ogun state born lawyer, said, “It’s not impossible for people to come up with a lot of presumption, assumption, negotiation, renegotiation behind doors, outside. A lot of statements like. But nobody actually knows the exact thing that happened behind, after, or on the negotiation table. What we know, what we always get is the end result. Whatever ways that are used in arriving at an end result, we don’t know.
“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 that is going to form the committee. He is the one that 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,” Otakumaiya reiterated.
Both lawyers emphasised that Akpabio’s decision to recuse himself from the panel was in line with legal principles, but acknowledged that the complexities of politics might lead to different outcomes.
