Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of publishing damaging and false allegations that he sexually harassed her.
According to court documents obtained from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akpabio is seeking substantial damages, a public apology, and the removal of all online content where the allegations were made. He insists the claims have tarnished his reputation, subjected him to “public ridicule,” and caused him “severe emotional distress.”
The court filings show that Akpabio, through an ex parte application filed in December, requested permission to serve the court papers on Akpoti-Uduaghan via substituted means—specifically through the Clerk of the National Assembly at the Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
Justice U. P. Kekemeke granted the request, ruling that the documents—including the writ of summons and all subsequent processes such as hearing notices—could be delivered to any staff in the Clerk’s office. Motion No also backed the approval. M/12725/2025, which forms part of the defamation suit Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025.
The order reads in part:
- “AN ORDER granting leave to the Claimant/Applicant to serve the Originating Processes… by delivering same to the Clerk of the National Assembly, or any staff in the Clerk’s office.”
- “AN ORDER deeming the said mode of service as good and proper service.”
Details of Akpabio’s Claims
The suit contains a detailed statement of claim and a list of witnesses. Akpabio alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan, in various media interviews—on television, radio, and online platforms—painted him as a sexual predator who used his political office for personal satisfaction.
According to him, millions of Nigerians watched or read the claims, leading to a wave of criticism and backlash that damaged his public image.
He is asking the court to:
- Order the removal of all online materials where the allegations were made.
- Compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue public apologies broadcast nationwide across major media outlets for days.
- Award ₦200 billion in damages for the alleged defamation.
A court order issued on November 6, 2025, confirmed that previous attempts to serve the senator directly had failed, prompting the substituted service.
The case is now set to proceed, with political observers predicting it will be one of the most closely followed legal battles in Nigeria’s recent political history.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Responds: “I’m Ready for the Legal Battle”
Responding on Friday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said she has received formal notice of the lawsuit filed on December 5, 2025.
In her statement, the Kogi Central senator revealed that the case filed through an ex parte motion is before Justice U. P. Kekemeke, with a hearing date fixed for January 21, 2026.
She welcomed the lawsuit, saying it offers her the opportunity that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges allegedly denied her.
“Now I Have the Opportunity to Prove My Claims” – Natasha
Akpoti-Uduaghan said:
“Today being the 5th day of December, 2025, I receive the newly instituted ₦200 billion suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio… Now, I am glad that Sen. Akpabio has brought this up because the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges failed to grant me an audience.”
She accused the committee of refusing to hear her earlier complaint, citing an ongoing court case filed by Akpabio’s wife. She added that Senate rules prevented her from going to court independently because she was required to first present her complaint to the Ethics Committee—the same committee that once recommended her “illegal suspension.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said the court case is now her platform to present the full details of what she describes as sexual harassment:
“Albeit, I couldn’t proceed to court because by Senate rules, I must still present my case before the Ethics Committee… Alas, I now have a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give in to his demands unleashed a series of unprovoked and unprecedented attacks on my person. See you in court, Godswill Akpabio.”
With the court having approved substituted service and both parties now officially notified, the lawsuit is set to move forward in January 2026.
Legal experts say the case will likely generate intense public scrutiny due to the high-profile positions of both senators and the sensitivity of the allegations.
It remains to be seen how the court will handle what could become a landmark case involving accusations of sexual misconduct, power dynamics, and political rivalry within Nigeria’s National Assembly.
