The National President of the All Progressives Congress Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken, has applauded legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, for his principled stance on the sexual harassment allegation brought against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Ambassador Tsoken described Agbakoba’s intervention as “a courageous and timely defense of due process, truth, and the supremacy of the natural rule of law,” emphasizing that the nation’s legal and democratic institutions must never be swayed by emotions or media sensationalism.
Addressing a press conference earlier in Lagos, Agbakoba, who leads the legal team defending Akpabio, had raised serious concerns over inconsistencies in Senator Natasha’s claims. Notably, he pointed out a contradiction in the timeline of the alleged incident, which reportedly occurred on December 8, 2023, followed by public social media posts from the senator the next day, where she praised and celebrated Akpabio on his birthday.
“This juxtaposition — an alleged traumatic incident followed by voluntary public eulogies — presents a contradiction that must be carefully examined,” Agbakoba stated.
Commending this line of reasoning, Ambassador Tsoken said Agbakoba’s position “reflects not just legal brilliance but also a moral commitment to justice and fairness.” He emphasized that allegations as sensitive as sexual harassment must be handled with objectivity, not prejudice.
Tsoken further noted that Agbakoba’s reference to Senator Natasha’s previous withdrawn allegations, including one in 2021 against a presidential aide and another vague accusation in a video targeting an unnamed minister, adds further context to the need for thorough scrutiny.
“The APC-IGG stands firmly with institutions of justice and fairness. We call on all stakeholders to allow the rule of law to take its full course without recourse to media trials or political witch-hunting,” Tsoken stated.
He praised Agbakoba’s call for the matter to be addressed through appropriate legal channels, not public opinion, saying it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring accountability.
In a letter dated April 14, 2025, Agbakoba’s legal team gave Senator Natasha two weeks to clarify the identified contradictions, ahead of potential legal actions.
“Sexual harassment is a serious issue, but so is the presumption of innocence,” Agbakoba had said. “Let the facts lead, not emotions.”
Ambassador Tsoken concluded by urging Nigerians to remain calm and trust the country’s legal system, assuring that justice will prevail if truth is allowed to guide the process.