Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated legal action against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, claiming defamation, and is seeking N1.3billion in damages .
The lawsuit arises from a recent reshuffle in the Senate, which resulted in the reassignment of her seat, a move sparked by opposition members transitioning to the majority.
Sen.Akpoti-Uduaghan opposed this change, leading to a verbal confrontation with the Senate president.
On February 25, 2025, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan filed her suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, naming Sen. Akpabio and a senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, as co-defendants.
In the suit, registered as CV/737/25, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, represented by her lawyer, Victor Giwa, alleged that the Senate president and his aide, published defamatory statements against her on Facebook.
These statements, the senator argued, implied that she viewed her role as a lawmaker merely as an opportunity for superficial appearances.
Giwa contended that the remarks were damaging and disparaging, undermining Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation among her peers and the public.
Read also: Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan to face Senate’s disciplinary committee after conflict with Akpabio
He requested the court to declare the statements defamatory, and sought to prevent the defendants from making any further harmful comments.
In the suit, she is seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants, whether acting by themselves or through their agents, privies, assigns, or associates, from further publishing or causing to be published the said defamatory words or any similar publications about her on social media or in any other manner capable of defaming her.
Additionally, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is demanding significant financial compensation, specifically N100 billion for general damages and N300 million for litigation costs, alongside a restraining order against further defamatory publications.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from Tuesday’s plenary.
