Senate President Sues Colleague for Defamation
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a substantial ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central. The suit, lodged at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, addresses allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President.
The legal action, which also seeks an additional ₦500 million for litigation costs, demands a public apology from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in national newspapers, a formal retraction of her claims, and the removal of all related online content. Akpabio's legal team asserts that the allegations have severely damaged his reputation and subjected him to public ridicule, portraying him as a 'predator who exploits his position for personal gratification'.
Background to the Allegations
The genesis of the lawsuit traces back to February 2025, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, during an interview on Arise TV, publicly accused Senator Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her in his office and at his residence in Akwa Ibom. She further claimed that her subsequent challenges within the Senate commenced after she rejected these alleged advances.
Akpabio has consistently and strongly denied these allegations. The relationship between the two lawmakers has been notably tense, marked by previous public disagreements, including a heated exchange on the Senate floor concerning seating arrangements in February 2025. Furthermore, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan faced a six-month suspension from the Senate in March 2025 over alleged misconduct.
Legal Proceedings and Reactions
The lawsuit was initially filed on August 25, 2025, according to some reports, though Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receiving notice on December 5, 2025, describing it as 'newly instituted'. Attempts to serve the court processes directly to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan were initially unsuccessful, leading to a court order on November 6, 2025, for substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly.
In response to the lawsuit, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her welcome for the legal battle, stating it provides her with the long-awaited opportunity to prove her sexual harassment claims. She noted that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had previously declined to hear her petition, citing a related defamation case filed by Akpabio's wife, Ekaette Akpabio, against her. The case is slated to commence on January 21, 2026.
Implications and Broader Context
This high-profile defamation suit marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the two prominent Nigerian lawmakers. The substantial amount of damages sought, ₦200 billion, is among the largest in Nigerian legal history for a defamation case, underscoring the perceived severity of the reputational damage. The outcome of this case is expected to draw considerable attention and may have broader implications for how allegations of misconduct are addressed within Nigeria's political institutions.
5 Comments
Loubianka
Good! Defamation shouldn't go unpunished. Akpabio has every right to clear his name.
Eugene Alta
Both parties deserve a fair hearing to present their evidence. However, the existing tensions and past disciplinary actions against Natasha cast a shadow over perceptions of impartiality.
Donatello
This case highlights the difficulty of investigating sexual harassment claims, especially when powerful figures are involved. The court process will be intense, but hopefully, it brings clarity.
Michelangelo
N200 billion? Clearly designed to bankrupt and scare her. Disgusting power play.
Muchacha
The legal battle is necessary to establish facts, but it also exposes the systemic issues within our political institutions regarding accountability and how such serious allegations are handled.