Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, filing a staggering N100.3 billion defamation lawsuit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
This move comes amidst a heated controversy in the Senate, following a verbal altercation between the two lawmakers over seating arrangements during plenary.
The Defamation Claim
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, alleges that a Facebook post published on Akpabio’s page by his aide, Mfon Patrick, maligned her character. The post, titled: “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, reportedly mocked her by stating that she “thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the Senate chambers.”
The senator argues that the post was defamatory, provocative, and damaging to her reputation in the eyes of her colleagues and the public.
Demands in Court
Through her legal team, led by Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking:
- An immediate retraction of the statement.
- A public apology published in a widely circulated national newspaper.
- A perpetual injunction preventing further defamatory remarks.
- N100 billion in general damages.
- N300 million in legal fees.
Political Fallout
This lawsuit follows an earlier confrontation where Senate President Akpabio ordered her out of the chambers, allegedly due to rearrangement of seating positions linked to opposition lawmakers defecting to the ruling party.
In response, the Senate has launched a probe into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct, referring the matter to the Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions Committee, which is expected to report back in two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio, dismissing the controversy as an effort to “protect the institution of the Senate.”
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are now on the court and the Senate committee’s verdict, with implications that could shake Nigeria’s legislative landscape.
