Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sues Akpabio for defamation, seeks N1.3bn in damages

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated legal proceedings against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging defamation and seeking N1.3 billion in damages.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, lists Akpabio, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and his Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as defendants.

The conflict began after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate committee position was reassigned following a leadership reshuffle. Her opposition to the reassignment led to tensions with Akpabio, culminating in a public confrontation.

The situation further escalated when a Facebook post titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” surfaced.

The post, allegedly authored by Patrick at Akpabio’s prompting, contained statements suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan perceived her role as a senator to be merely about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, contends that the statement is defamatory, derogatory, and meant to damage the senator’s reputation among her colleagues and the public.

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He emphasized that the remarks portrayed his client in a negative light and subjected her to undue ridicule.

“A DECLARATION that the words… used and written by the third defendant at the prompting of the first and second defendants, is defamatory and intended to cause public opprobrium and disaffection toward the claimant,” Giwa stated in the legal filing.

In her lawsuit, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain Akpabio and his associates from making further defamatory statements against her. Additionally, she has requested the following financial reliefs: N1 billion in general damages for reputational harm and emotional distress.

N300 million to cover litigation and other legal costs incurred in pursuing the case.

The court is expected to deliberate on the matter in the coming weeks. As of now, neither Akpabio nor his representatives have issued an official response to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit underscores the growing tensions within the Nigerian Senate and raises broader questions about decorum, internal conflicts, and the role of digital media in political disputes. If successful, the case could set a precedent for how defamation claims are handled among high-ranking government officials.

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