The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), Andrew Mamedu, has cautioned against trifling with the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Senator representing Kogi Central had, during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, alleged that she was being intimidated by the Senate President for refusing his sexual advances. That was days after an altercation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio on the floor of the Senate went viral on the internet, with many speculations about what could have led to the female Senator’s outburst.

Reacting to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, Mamedu asked that the right committee be set up to investigate the allegations.

“So we cannot sweep it under the carpet. We cannot undermine her. She should not be victimized, but the allegations should be investigated,” Mamedu said.

“I am not saying she is right, but those allegations should be investigated. So there should not be power over. So the Presidency should not put its power on it, or the Senate leadership may use its power to sweep it under the carpet.

“No. It should be investigated. There is an Ethics and Privileges Committee in the Senate, so they should take it up and independently run it,” he said.

Mamedu insisted that the female Senator should not be victimized; rather, let the matter be investigated and if the offence is proven to be true, then the right sanction should be meted out. On the other hand, if her allegations are false, then the right sanction should also be meted out to her.

“And, of course, she has said it, and it is difficult to prove that it is the truth. But again, we cannot sweep it under the carpet. We have to investigate it and find out what has happened,” he said.