Senate Ethics Committee Hearing turns Chaotic as Senator Nwebonyi clashes with Oby Ezekwesili

A Senate Ethics Committee hearing on Tuesday descended into chaos when Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi of Ebonyi North and former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, engaged in a heated verbal exchange over the ongoing investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.  

The tension began when some participants, including Dr. Ezekwesili, refused to take an oath before giving their statements. As Senator Nwebonyi volunteered to be sworn in, Ezekwesili reportedly interrupted, calling him a "hooligan" and telling him to "shut up." This provoked an angry response from Nwebonyi, who fired back, calling her “a fool” and “an insult to womanhood.” He further taunted, “A fool at 70! People like you can never be here.”  

The incident, which was caught on video and widely circulated on social media, has sparked strong reactions from the public. The exchange has also drawn criticism regarding the conduct of public officials during formal proceedings.  

Following the heated argument, Senator Nwebonyi defended his remarks during an interview on Channels Television, insisting he had no regrets. “I gave it to her the way she deserved. How can I regret? She should have shown respect instead of speaking to me in such a manner,” he stated.  

The altercation overshadowed the primary focus of the hearing, which was to examine Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio. As the Ethics Committee continues its inquiry, the dramatic clash has added another layer of controversy to an already high-profile case.