Natasha sues Akpabio for defamation, seeks N100bn in damages

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over alleged defamation following a Senate seat reshuffle. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned after opposition members switched to the majority wing, which led to a confrontation between her and Akpabio.

The lawsuit, filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on February 25, 2025, lists Akpabio, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Mfon Patrick, Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, as defendants. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Victor Giwa, claims that defamatory statements were made by Akpabio and published by Patrick on Facebook.

The post in question, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of viewing her role as a lawmaker as superficial, implying she was more focused on her appearance than on legislative duties. The statement read, “It is bottled anger by the Kogi lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules. She thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team argues that these words are defamatory, disparaging, and damaging to her reputation. In the lawsuit, Akpoti-Uduaghan seeks a declaration that the statements made by Patrick, at Akpabio’s prompting, are defamatory and intended to bring her into public disrepute.

Furthermore, she is seeking an order of perpetual injunction to prevent Akpabio, Patrick, and their associates from publishing any further defamatory content about her. The senator has also demanded N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in legal costs.

The case, marked CV/737/25, reflects ongoing tensions within the Nigerian Senate, with Akpoti-Uduaghan calling for both legal redress and protection from further defamation in public platforms.