Unoma Akpabio files multi-billion naira lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, has initiated multiple legal actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and violation of fundamental rights.

The lawsuits, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, stem from statements allegedly made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during a televised interview on Arise News and remarks delivered on the Senate floor.

In one of the suits (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs. Akpabio, through her legal representatives, asserts that the statements made by the Kogi Central senator constitute a blatant infringement on her fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Citing Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Articles 4 and 5 of the African Charter, the lawsuit seeks the following reliefs:

A judicial declaration affirming that the accusations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on the Senate floor on February 20, 2025, and later reiterated during the Arise News interview, amount to a grave violation of Mrs. Akpabio’s fundamental rights.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent from making further statements deemed inciteful, scandalous, or harmful, which Mrs.

Akpabio claims have caused her and her children emotional and psychological distress, as well as fear for their safety.

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

A compensation claim of ₦250 billion (Two Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira) for exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages resulting from the alleged rights violations.

In a separate lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), Mrs. Akpabio alleges that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely claimed on national television that Senate President Godswill Akpabio made inappropriate sexual advances towards her. The suit asserts that this claim, made without any supporting evidence, has caused severe reputational damage to the Akpabio family.

A declaration that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statement on national television has tarnished the reputation of the Akpabio family, exposing them to public ridicule and disrepute.

A court order compelling the senator to issue a formal written retraction of her statements and an unconditional public apology, which must be published in two nationally recognized newspapers, The Guardian and This Day.

A demand for ₦1 billion (One Billion Naira) in punitive and exemplary damages to compensate for the alleged harm inflicted on the Akpabio family’s reputation.

A perpetual injunction prohibiting the senator from making further defamatory remarks against the Akpabio family.

The lawsuits come amid rising political tensions within the Nigerian Senate, where both parties have previously been involved in heated debates. Legal experts note that the outcome of these cases could set a precedent for handling defamation claims among public officials in Nigeria.

As the cases progress, all eyes will be on the Federal Capital Territory High Court to determine the legal and political ramifications of these high-profile lawsuits.