Nigerian senator sued by government over assassination claims

Wedaeli Chibelushi & Yemisi Adegike

BBC News

Natasha Akboti-Odagan was suspended from the Senate after providing allegations of sexual harassment

BBC Natasha Akpoti-duuaghan sits on a brown leather sofa, wearing a Burgundy summit and a header. — Natasha Akboti-Odagan was suspended from the Senate after providing allegations of sexual harassment

Nigerian Senate member BBC told that she only learned that the government was sued it “on the news” and that it “shocked” the measures it took against it.

The government provided charges of defamation against Natasha Akboti-Odawagan after she accused a country’s leading politician of planning to kill her.

In April, Akpoti-upuaghan claimed that the Senate President Akpabio and former governor of the state, Yahaya Bell wanted to “eliminate it.” Both denied this accusation.

Akbabio has already accused her sexual harassment – a claim that he also denied.

After learning the charges against it, I told the BBC: "I was actually shocked. My first reaction was when I read it because of the shock, because I did not serve [with papers] yet. I had to read it on the news. “

BBC asked the Nigerian government to comment.

In the drawing paper, which the BBC watched, the Nigerian Prosecutor indicated a direct interview broadcasting television in Nigeria last month.

Akpoti-duaghan claimed in the interview that there were “discussions that were Akpabio with Yahya Bello … to eliminate me.”

The prosecutor said that this statement, and other radio on the same broadcast, could harm Billo and Akbabio.

But Akpoti-duaghan stands next to her claim. She said she went to the police with accusing Akbabo and Pelo pose a threat to her life.

She said, “Did you understand this distortion?

Instead, he is the Senate Speaker and [former] The imitation of the governor, Yahaia Billo, is what he praised, and who is attending. “

Akpoti-duaghan said that the charges were an attempt to “intimidate it” and make it “fall” after Akabio accused of sexual harassment in February.

“She is a patient who has been normalized in society – sexual harassment. But here I am talking about it … that was my first crime. Natasha is not supposed to talk about. I am supposed to carry her as a woman.”

The accusations were distinguished by the latest successive development that was involved in Nigeria, which raised questions about gender equality in the socially conservative nation.

Akpoti-duuaghan is only one of the four women among 109 Senate members.

After accusing Akabio of sexual harassment, it was suspended from the Senate for a period of six months without pay.

The Senate Ethics Committee said that the comment was for its “unbridled and sabotage” behavior while the Senate was discussing its allegations.

However, Akpoti-duaghan argued that the committee was targeting it because of the allegations it made against the Senate Speaker.

It has not been set for her to appear before the court.

Additional reports by Nkechi Ogbonna and Chukwunaeme Obiejesi in Lagos