Sen. Nwaebonyi, Ezekwesili Throw Caution To The Winds, Engage In ‘Verbal War’ At Senate Hearing On Natasha’s Petition

A heated confrontation erupted on Tuesday between Sen Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, during a hearing on a sexual harassment petition brought against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by his colleague, Sen Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The altercation took place at the National Assembly, where the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions was sitting.

Present at the hearing were Ezekwesili, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Abiola Akiode, and the petitioner, Zubairu Yakubu.

Tensions flared when Yakubu attempted to speak while the Senate Committee Chairman, Neda Imaseun, was addressing the room. He was instructed to mute his microphone, but when Ezekwesili attempted to intervene, Sen Nwaebonyi cut her off.

A clearly offended Ezekwesili rebuked him, saying, “Compose yourself and stop making noise.” Her remark triggered an angry reaction from Nwaebonyi.

“You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You’re an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here,” Nwaebonyi lashed out.

Ezekwesili, in turn, called him a “hooligan,” escalating the confrontation further.

The verbal exchange briefly disrupted proceedings before order was restored.

Shortly afterwards, Chairman Imaseun informed the gathering that the matter was already before a court, prompting an abrupt end to the session.

( The Sun, excluding headline)