Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing damaging statements allegedly made against her.
The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, also lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as defendants.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal action follows a dispute over her reassigned Senate seat after a reshuffle caused by opposition members defecting to the majority wing.
The controversy escalated after a Facebook post, allegedly made at Akpabio’s behest, mocked her legislative contributions.
The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, reportedly included a statement suggesting that the senator “thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, described the statement as defamatory, arguing that it was meant to ridicule and tarnish her reputation.
Among her demands, Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a public declaration that the statement was defamatory, a court injunction preventing further defamatory remarks, and N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously alleged plots to suspend her from the National Assembly by Akpabio.
