Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of defamation and demanding N1.3 billion in damages.
The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, also lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as co-defendants.
The dispute stems from a Senate reshuffle that reassigned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat after opposition lawmakers joined the majority.
Her resistance to the relocation reportedly led to a heated confrontation with the Senate President.
Through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that defamatory remarks about her were published on Facebook by Patrick at Akpabio’s prompting.
The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” allegedly contained statements mocking her, including remarks about her appearance and legislative competence.
Giwa argues that the statements are defamatory, harmful to her reputation, and intended to diminish her standing among her colleagues and the public.
In the suit (marked CV/737/25), she seeks a declaration that the statements were defamatory, an order restraining the defendants from making further damaging remarks, and compensation of N100 billion in general damages and N300 million for litigation costs.
