Civil society groups on Wednesday staged a protest at the National Assembly entrance, demanding that Senate President Godswill Akpabio step down for a proper investigation into allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The protesters arrived at the assembly gate as early as 8 a.m., holding banners with messages such as “Akpabio Must Go” and “Protect Women’s Rights.”

Last week, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of victimising her after she rejected his alleged sexual advances.

The accusation, made on live television, followed controversy over a change in her Senate seating arrangement on February 20.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Tuesday after an ex parte application was filed by her lawyers. The court ruled:

“An order of this Honourable Court is made granting leave to the Plaintiff/Applicant to serve the 2nd – 4th Defendants/Respondents with the Originating Summons and all other accompanying processes in this Suit by substituted means, to wit: by serving same through the 1st Defendant (Clerk of the National Assembly) or pasting same on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.”

The ruling also granted an “Order of Interim Injunction” restraining the Senate from proceeding with its investigation against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court further directed the Senate and its committee to “show cause within 72 hours upon the service of this order on them, why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them, restraining them from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affording her privileges as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”

Tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio escalated in February after she protested the reassignment of her seat without her consent. On February 20, she refused to vacate the seat despite directives from Akpabio and intervention by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

“I don’t care if I am silenced, I am not afraid. You have denied me my privilege,” she declared during the confrontation.

Days later, she accused Akpabio of making advances toward her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023.