Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sued Senate President Godswill Akpabio for alleged defamation, seeking N1.3 billion in damages. The lawsuit, filed in Abuja, claims Akpabio and his aide made derogatory remarks about her. The case follows a Senate seating dispute, escalating tensions between both lawmakers.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of defamation and seeking N1.3 billion in damages. The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, also names Akpabio’s senior aide, Mfon Patrick, as a defendant.
The dispute stems from a heated confrontation in the Senate after Akpoti-Uduaghan's seat was reassigned. She resisted the change, leading to tensions with the Senate leadership. The situation escalated when a Facebook post, allegedly published by Patrick, made derogatory remarks about her appearance and role in the Senate.
Her legal representative, Victor Giwa, argues that the statements were damaging to her reputation and intended to humiliate her publicly. Akpoti-Uduaghan is demanding a court declaration that the remarks were defamatory and an order restraining Akpabio and his associates from making further statements against her.
Additionally, she is seeking N1 billion in general damages for reputational harm and N300 million to cover legal expenses.
Observers believe the case could set a precedent for how lawmakers handle internal disputes and defamation claims in Nigeria’s political space. Akpabio’s camp has yet to respond officially to the lawsuit.
