Home » Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Sues Akpabio for Defamation

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Sues Akpabio for Defamation

By Ayomide Otitoju

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a dispute over the reassignment of her Senate seat.

The controversy arose after a reshuffle in the Senate, triggered by opposition lawmakers defecting to the majority wing. Reports indicate that Akpoti-Uduaghan objected to the relocation of her seat, leading to a confrontation with Akpabio.

On February 25, 2025, she filed a suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, naming Akpabio, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Senate President’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as defendants.

According to her lawyer, Victor Giwa, the lawsuit was prompted by a social media post titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” The post allegedly contained statements implying that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s role as a senator was limited to “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”

Giwa described the remarks as defamatory, provocative, and damaging to her reputation among colleagues and the public. He emphasized that the post was intended to incite ridicule and disaffection toward his client.

“The words, ‘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,’ used and written by the third defendant at the prompting of the first and second defendants, are defamatory,” the lawsuit stated.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent further defamatory statements from the defendants and their associates. She is also demanding N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs.

The case adds to the growing tensions within the Senate, as political alignments continue to shift in the legislative chamber.

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