You dont need to be a Prophet to come to the realization that this interview can become dangerous and lead to Obinna’s hurt. I have tried to avoid the Natasha- Akpabio connundrum for some serious reasons. I came back from the UK in 2005 and by 2007, I resumed law practice in Lagos. Then Lagos women learnt how to black mail people they considered rich and vulnerable. A woman will stroll into a Lawyer’s, Pastor’s or some good persons private office well dressed and after some words screams that her host was sexually harassing her. Out of fear, the innocent victim promises to keep her Quiet. She walks away with anything from N50,000 to N100,000 or even more depending on how vulnerable and rich the victim was. So, returning from London, as a Lawyer, Pastor and Ex- Commissioner, I took precautionary measures and installed a recorder under my work table such that I could switch it to start recording should any pervert lady visit. As God would have it, no lady with such evil intentions visited. As a result, I could not tolerate Sexual Harrassment matters till date.

However as time went on, men actually started loosing it.Lagos ladies targeted by weak men some cry fowl about being sexually harassed and nothing would come out of it. In 2011, a lady journalist with one of the Television houses followed me after I concluded a matter at Badagry High Court and requested an appointment. When she arrived, I switched on my tape but to my surprise, she broke down crying..She was raped by the Managing Director of the company she worked for. I was confronted with a real life case of bullying and sexual harrasment! I accepted the brief. Armed with a properly worded non-threatening letter. I called and made an appointment to see that Managing Director.Displying my new Black Berry Passport hand set, the MD showed a dignified respect to me. As soon as I mentioned the name of my Client, he offered that we talked over Lunch. We drove to Eko Hotel and over the lunch, I resumed my presentation. He listened with rapt attention and shocked me. He said he was in love with my Client,who has all the qualities he needed in a wife. Problem was that my Client won’t accept to be a Second Wife,and that she knew his plans for her. On the date of the incident, my Client had led him on in his private apartment near their office, but when he reached what he called his point of no return, my Client’s phone rang and she tried to run away, but he blocked her and had his way. He added that it happened three weeks before our meeting and my Client had not come to work. He wanted a peaceful settlement. My Client accepted and he subsequently sent her to the UK,after marrying her.

When Natasha came up with this Sexual harrasment issue against Senator Akpabio, my thought was that the Senate President should have settled it quietly, and focused on his busy legislative duties to our country. Letting the thing fester was not good and necessary for many reasons including: 1.Senator Akpabio is very close to the Uduaghans.Senator Natasha is in Igbo parlance, like ” A bone hung on his neck for protection in and out of the Hallowed Chambers. Governor Uduaghan should be able to leave his wife with Senator Akpabio with his two eyes closed. That was not the case, perhaps as a man, he may have been grossly offended by the development,and is in tacit support of his victim wife. Once the victim emotions creep into such matter..Only Akpabio and Uduaghan would allow this to fester or put an end to it. 2. The Senators rather than bring in maturity, by putting the marriage of both parties in considerations. They put their impunity actions in motion, displaying stack unconscionable mind set. They all were running to the press, feeding the monster that is consuming their image and respect before Nigerians. Often, what is legal will not always be expedient.

In all their power play of domination oppression and intimidation,they completely mismanaged the visit by Dr.Oby Ezekwezili, a clear Agent Provocateur for Senator Natasha.She achieved more than her purpose, and all of them again ran to the media to no good result for the Senate.

3. When Senator Akpabio was at the NDDC as Managing Director he had an experience with one of her Senior Female Staff who claimed to have slapped the hell out of his face for groping her. Akpabio did not go to court but wisely allowed it to slide. This may be because he had political hurdles to scale and was also on the radar of the EFCC. Now having arrived big as Senate President, caution had to be thrown to the winds. If that “Rivers Girl” is made to testify in this case, it will inflict damages no matter what, on Akpabio. Senator Akpabio’s wife is not on any record, to have gone to slap her back or retaliate woman- to- woman. But she was quick to run to defend or justify her husband in Natssha’s case.It has not helped matters. Their advisers spoiled it all, forcing them to play to a wicked galary! Women from Akwa Ibom had to troop out to protest in defense of Akpabio, and some of the women could not explain why and for what they were protesting, making a fool of the populace,and displaying the idiocy of our political leaders.

4. Can Akpabio and Yahaya Bello explain the blocking of all routes to Natssha’s event in Kogi that that prompted her use of helicopter to arrive at that event? The Question remains, if her enemies can go to such extent, who can say how far they could go to stop her? Could their plans include ” killing her” ?

5. Talking about plans to kill Senator Natasha. Most responsible followers of the matter know that Senator Akpabio could not have planned to murder Senator Natasha. In Igboland we say that rubbishing of an Elder or Rich Man is worse than murdering him. Igbos believe that the murder of a person of worthy purposes is better than disgracing him in public and thereby reducing all his achievements in the society. The allusion to the “killing of Senator Natasha” could have been made in the context of messing her up completely. To throw her reputation down, spit on her and stamp feets upon her reputation! Given the circumstances of the dismal failure of the Senates Ethics Committee in managing this case, ” Killing Natasha ” is more likely to mean messing her up completely than contemplating murdering her. So far all the electronic media commentators have missed this valid and strong perspective. Igbos say that a man is not offended by the person who threw him on the floor in a wrestling contest, but he is pained by the person who suggested that his mouth be stuffed with sand “

6. As can be deduced from the interview granted by a conscious whistle blower to Adeola Feyihun, one Sandra Duru has brought another twist to the matter, with proofs that will not help Akpabio, Bello and the Federal Prosecutors.That interview threw up more tantrums against Akpabio and co. It named Governor Hope Uzodinma, and The President. Sandra Duru, has been promised by Hope Uzodinma to be the next Governor of Imo State! See how they play with the people? It is not funny at all. It complicates the case with lies and unfortunate grand standing by Miss Duru!

I wish Senator Akpabio will step down from his exalted office, and be human , enter for an out of court settlement with his good friends family, and save Nigerians from the tasteless embarrasing entertainment! No matter which way the matter swings,all efforts need to be made to provide saftey the whistle blower Obinna.Such persons Must be protected.

Bishop Clement Udegbe writes from Florida USA.