The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria (BAVCCA), along with more than 400 digital creators nationwide, has denounced what they describe as a “media trial” of Senate President Godswill Akpabio following sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, BAVCCA’s National Spokesperson, Tabuko Kennedy, raised concerns about the increasing tendency of public discourse to pass judgment on sensitive issues without waiting for legal proceedings.
He stated: “We, the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), alongside over 400 content creators, have been following with keen interest the recent sexual harassment allegations leveled against the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The BAVCCA is deeply concerned about the growing trend of media sensationalism and trial by public opinion on sensitive issues without proper legal backing. While we uphold the importance of media freedom, truth, and accountability, we reject the use of unverified accusations to tarnish reputations without legal processes being duly followed.”
Kennedy urged journalists and content creators to exercise caution in their reporting, noting that this is not the first time Akpoti-Uduaghan has made similar allegations.
“This is not the first time Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made sexual harassment allegations against prominent figures without providing substantial evidence or taking appropriate legal action:
” Reno Omokri: In the past, she accused Reno Omokri of sexual misconduct. However, Omokri was able to prove beyond doubt that he was not even in the country at the time of the alleged incident. Despite this, the media space was flooded with the unverified allegations, and Omokri had to personally fight to clear his name.
” Governor Yahaya Bello: Senator Natasha also accused the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of sexual harassment, but she never proceeded to court to substantiate her claims or seek justice through legal means.
” Senate President Godswill Akpabio: Now, she has turned her attention to Senate President Akpabio, claiming that he sexually harassed her. However, instead of suing him directly to prove her claims, she has chosen to sue Akpabio’s aide for allegedly maligning her character in a press statement. This raises serious questions about her true motives and credibility,” he said.
The association harped on the need for ethical reporting, calling on bloggers to avoid sensationalism.
“As content creators committed to ethical and factual reporting, we refuse to be drawn into sensationalizing claims that lack legal backing. We pose the following questions to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan:
“1) Why did you wait until your Senate seat was changed before raising these sexual harassment allegations? Is this a case of personal vendetta disguised as a fight for justice?
“2) Why would Senate President Akpabio, a sitting Senate President, allegedly harass you while your husband was walking behind you? Does this claim hold logical weight?
“3) If the alleged harassment happened in Akwa Ibom, why didn’t you raise an alarm immediately or report the matter when and where it supposedly happened? Why now?
“4) Why have you consistently refused to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against any of the men you accused but would rather concentrate on media trial of these men? So you would rather focus on defamation suits rather than sexual harassment suits?
“5) Why did you not raise your voice on the Senate floor or officially petition the Senate Ethics Committee regarding your allegations? Or better still report to the Nigerian Police, why did you take the issue straight to the media?
“6) Are you leveraging these allegations for political relevance or media attention rather than seeking true justice?
“7) Should public figures be subjected to media trials without legal due process? If you have evidence, why not follow the legal path to prove your case?” The group queried.
While saying as a stakeholders in the media and digital space it believes that sexual harassment is a serious issue that should never be trivialized, the association said it should also never be weaponized for personal or political gain.
” The Nigerian Senate is a dignified institution and should not be dragged into unnecessary controversy over personal grievances.
While we strongly support justice for all victims of harassment, we condemn the continuous media trials and the deliberate harassment of Senate President Akpabio. Accusations must be backed by credible evidence and pursued through the courts, not social media campaigns.
“We call on all bloggers, vloggers, and media houses to be responsible in reporting on this matter. Let us not allow unverified allegations to destroy reputations without concrete proof. As a professional media body, we refuse to be tools for smear campaigns, and we urge all Nigerians to demand facts over fiction.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must either take her claims to court and present concrete evidence or cease this relentless pattern of media accusations. The integrity of our democracy and public institutions must be protected from politically motivated distractions,” Kennedy added.
