Suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has dismissed the prospect of an out-of-court settlement in her sexual harassment suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring that she will pursue the matter to its “logical conclusion” before the Court.

In a response to a letter from Akpabio’s legal counsel, senior advocate of Nigeria Olisa Agbakoba on Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan stood by her allegations and questioned the motives behind the demand for further substantiation outside the pending court proceedings.

“The assessment of evidence belongs to the courts alone,” she asserted.

“The nature of your demand for evidence in this manner, at the instance of your client, simply indicates a broader misconception of what truly amounts to sexual harassment as prescribed in several global protocols.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised what she described as attempts to trivialise a serious matter, arguing that Agbakoba’s request sidesteps due judicial process and reflects a “narrow perspective” on the global scourge of workplace sexual harassment.

She also rebuffed Akpabio’s alleged media campaign seeking public proof, pointing out the contradiction of refusing to entertain the allegations within the Senate chamber while attempting to litigate them through the press.

“The principle is elementary, a litigant may not approbate in the courts and reprobate in the press,” she said.

“The rule against parallel adjudication safeguards the integrity of judicial determination, preserves the fairness of proceedings, and secures the dignity of all arms of government.”

The senator further rejected the idea that outward civility or shared photographs at diplomatic events, such as the inter-parliamentary union session in Geneva in March, negate her claims.

“Outward civility cannot be transmuted into an admission that no misconduct occurred,” she emphasised.

Responding to claims that she failed to clarify contradictions, particularly her December 9, 2023, social media post where she appeared cordial toward Akpabio following the alleged incident on December 8.

Akpoti-Uduaghan reiterated that she acted under legal advice and out of respect for the doctrine of lis pendens, which discourages public comment on matters before the court.

She further stated, “Should further particulars be required, they will be furnished in the ordinary course of disclosure, subject to the direction of the Honourable Courts. Any attempt to circumvent that regulated process risks subverting the very rule-of-law values you have championed throughout your distinguished career.”

The senator clarified that she had not received Agbakoba’s initial letter and described the ongoing legal hostilities, one suit (CV/816/25), filed by Akpabio’s wife seeking N250 billion in damages over defamation and sexual harassment claims and another (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) in which Akpoti-Uduaghan is challenging her Senate suspension.

While distancing her suspension challenge from the harassment allegation, she noted that both suits are active and warned against “extrajudicial commentary” from any party involved.

Meanwhile, Agbakoba, during a press briefing in Lagos, expressed frustration over the senator’s deletion of her December 9 social media post and alleged inconsistencies in her timeline, insisting they raise “extremely concerning” questions.