Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, suing him for ₦100 billion over alleged defamatory statements made against her.
The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, also names the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as co-defendants.
The legal dispute stems from a controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reassigned Senate seat following a reshuffle caused by opposition members defecting to the majority caucus.
The situation escalated after a Facebook post, allegedly made at Akpabio’s direction, mocked her legislative contributions.
The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, reportedly included a remark suggesting that the senator “thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, described the statement as defamatory, arguing that it was intended to ridicule and damage her reputation.
In her suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a public declaration that the statement was defamatory, a court order restraining further defamatory remarks, ₦100 billion in general damages, and ₦300 million in legal costs.
The senator had previously accused Akpabio of plotting to have her suspended from the National Assembly.