Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, claiming he made disparaging remarks about her.
The lawsuit was submitted to the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, with Akpabio and his senior aide, Mfon Patrick, named as second and third defendants.
In her legal filing, Akpoti-Uduaghan, represented by her lawyer Victor Giwa, referred to a statement posted on Akpabio’s aide’s Facebook page titled, “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” The post included claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan believed being a lawmaker was simply about wearing makeup and revealing outfits to the Senate chambers.
Giwa argued that the remarks were defamatory, provocative, and designed to tarnish Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation among her colleagues and the public. The suit demands a declaration that the words used in the post, which mocked her understanding of legislative rules, were defamatory and intended to damage her standing.
She further requested a court order to prevent the defendants from publishing defamatory statements about her in the future, either directly or through others. In addition, she is seeking ₦100 billion in damages and ₦300 million for litigation costs.
The dispute comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan objected to a recent seating reshuffle in the Senate, which led to a confrontation with Akpabio. Following the clash, she was referred to the Senate’s Disciplinary Committee.
