Reno Omokri Refutes Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Denial of Past Sexual Harassment Allegation

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has dismissed Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent denial of a past sexual harassment accusation against him, describing it as a “clumsy afterthought” and urging the public to disregard it.

The controversy reignited following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s high-profile allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had sexually harassed her—an accusation which led to her suspension from the Senate. Omokri responded by alleging that the senator Natasha, has a pattern of making unsubstantiated claims, referencing an incident in which she allegedly accused him of similar misconduct in 2021.

In a newly published interview, however, Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly denied ever accusing Omokri of sexual harassment. “I have never accused anyone of sexual harassment apart from Senator Akpabio,” she told an online platform. “That doesn’t amount to sexual harassment,” she said, referring to a previous exchange with Omokri via social media. She added that her response had been misinterpreted.

Omokri insistdd the senator had in fact accused him publicly via a Facebook post and a follow-up video in October 2021. “I am surprised yet not shocked by her current denials,” Omokri said in a Monday statement. He presented archived news reports and YouTube links where the accusations were previously reported and alleged that she also claimed he secured government contracts for girlfriends during his tenure under President Goodluck Jonathan—claims he strongly denies.

He detailed that the alleged incident was said to have occurred during a state banquet for then-Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in May 2014. To counter the claim, Omokri published what he says is evidence of his absence from Nigeria at the time, including flight tickets and passport stamps proving he was in the United States.

Omokri further claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan deleted her social media posts and video after being confronted with evidence. He was reportedly preparing to sue her for defamation when, according to him, a prominent Christian cleric and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s future husband intervened to broker a private settlement. Omokri asserts a “large sum” was paid two days later to resolve the matter out of court, and he claims to possess a documented trail of the transaction.

“Let me further state that I have never awarded or influenced the awarding of any contract to any woman in my life, be she a relative, girlfriend, or platonic acquaintance. If Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan possesses evidence to the contrary, then she should, by all means, publish such proof.”

“I am prepared to testify to the above, under oath, in any court of law, Senate hearing, commission of inquiry, or other legally constituted fact-finding body, whether in Nigeria or abroad.” He spoke. “Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is very litigious. If what I have said above is false, then let her sue me. I am a meticulous record keeper and have kept records of what transpired when Natasha Akpoti tried to blackmail me by falsely accusing me of sexual harassment.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently suspended from the Senate for breaching chamber rules in connection with her allegation against Akpabio.