Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta affairs, says he
did not sexually harass Joy Nunieh, former acting managing director of the
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Nunieh had accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her.
Speaking through Anietie Ekong, his media aide, on
Wednesday, Akpabio said he has never made sexual advances against Nunieh.
The former governor of Akwa Ibom said he has never hidden
his admiration of Ekaete Akpabio, his wife, whom he is contented with.
“The honourable minister did not at any time, place or
circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, not even to put
himself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms.
Nunieh, or any female staff of his ministry or the NDDC,” the former senator
said.
“For the records, the Honourable Minister, Senator Godswill
Akpabio, CON is happily married and content with his wife.
“Together they are blessed with children, four of whom are
young women. The honourable minister is an avid believer of Affirmative Action
and that was visible in the appointments he made as a two term executive
governor of Akwa Ibom state between 2007 and 2015.
“Under his watch, he appointed several women into various
high level positions as Chairpersons of Local Government Councils, Magistrates,
Judges, Heads of Parastatals, Directors, Permanent Secretaries, and
Commissioners.
“He is the first governor in Akwa Ibom state to have a
female deputy governor, was also the first to appoint female chief justices of
the high court, recommended women for ministerial appointments one of whom was
the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and supported for appointment
the first female vice-chancellor of the only Federal University in the state
etc.”
The minister wondered why Nunieh did not speak out until the
period the senate is probing the NDDC.
“If indeed the allegation was true. Waiting till July 10th
and 13th 2020 when the National Assembly appears to be probing some of her
actions as the Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee
(“IMC”) exposes her motive, especially at a time when the momentum for the
Forensic Audit,” he said.
“Investigation of the NDDC is heating up and the truth is
about to be unveiled for all to see? The critical question is who is afraid of
the Forensic Audit at the NDDC? Who is Afraid of the Truth?
“There is no doubt that Ms. Nunieh’s attacks are both
personal and sponsored.”
The minister added that he has instructed his lawyers to
seek necessary “redress in a court of competent jurisdiction on his behalf over
the defamatory statements made by Ms. Nunieh.”
Since the senate resolved to probe the NDDC, there have been
allegations and counter-allegations.
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