Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent denial of ever accusing him of sexual harassment, calling it a “clumsy afterthought” that does not deserve public sympathy.
According to reports, Omokri’s response follows a recent interview in which the suspended Kogi Central senator retracted a previous claim that Omokri had made sexual advances toward her during a 2014 state banquet. In the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted, “I have never accused anyone of sexual harassment apart from Senator Akpabio.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Omokri disputed her denial, maintaining that she publicly accused him in 2021 via a Facebook post and a follow-up video, which were later deleted. He said the allegations were widely reported at the time, and he preserved evidence, including screenshots and video recordings.
“She accused me of harassment at a May 6, 2014 banquet for President Uhuru Kenyatta. But I was not even in Nigeria then,” Omokri said, adding that he had published airline tickets and passport stamps proving he was in the U.S. on that date.
He also claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan only took down the accusations after he presented these documents.
Omokri further alleged that he had intended to take legal action until a respected Christian leader and Emmanuel Uduaghan, who later married Natasha—intervened and mediated a financial settlement to avoid litigation. He asserted that both physical and electronic records exist to support his account, stating that the payment was made two days after the mediation and labeled an “offering.”
He challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan to present any evidence supporting her version of events, adding, “Let her sue me if I’m lying. I will testify under oath, in Nigeria or abroad. I keep meticulous records.”
Omokri also emphasized that he has never awarded or influenced contracts for any partners or associates.
This controversy follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent six-month suspension from the Senate after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The Senate found her actions in violation of parliamentary protocol and demanded a formal apology before her reinstatement.