Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

In a statement issued by Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, the organization criticized the government’s failure to address the allegations, warning that ignoring such claims could undermine justice for survivors of sexual harassment.

“The weight and scale of the allegations make it imperative to establish an independent, resourceful, and impartial investigation,” Sanusi stated. “The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain unaddressed and are being trivialized.”

Amnesty International emphasized that failing to investigate the claims would perpetuate a culture where survivors of sexual harassment struggle to seek justice while alleged perpetrators remain unpunished.

“The authorities must use this case to demonstrate a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment, regardless of the individuals involved,” the statement added.

The human rights organization also highlighted the broader issue of fear and stigma that often prevent victims from speaking out, calling for urgent action to break the cycle of impunity against women and girls.