Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, over defamatory remarks made against her. The lawsuit, filed on April 7 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), seeks to address the significant harm caused to her reputation, emotional distress, and public embarrassment.
The suit, marked CV/1259/25, arises from statements made by Senator Nwaebonyi during a televised interview on Channels TV’s “Sunrise Daily” program on March 6, 2025. Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that Nwaebonyi falsely referred to her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.” These statements, according to the plaintiff, were baseless and severely damaged her public image.
The defamation claim further accuses Senator Nwaebonyi of maliciously spreading false information about Akpoti-Uduaghan’s personal life, including unsubstantiated claims about her children and marriage. Nwaebonyi had previously been vocal in defending Senate President Godswill Akpabio against sexual harassment allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Alleged Malicious Statements
Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that the defamatory remarks were broadcasted nationally and disseminated across various social media platforms, resulting in widespread exposure. The lawsuit asserts that these statements portrayed her as someone who extorts money through dishonesty, forms relationships for material gain, and lies frequently to manipulate others.
In the lawsuit, Akpoti-Uduaghan further contends that Nwaebonyi’s comments were intentionally false and made with the goal of tarnishing her reputation. The plaintiff suggests that the defamatory remarks were aimed at discrediting her in connection to her petition to the Senate regarding her illegal suspension.
The senator argues that these false statements were not only harmful to her personal image but also prejudiced public opinion against her Senate petition, which was being reviewed by the Senate’s Ethics and Code of Conduct Committee. As a result, Akpoti-Uduaghan seeks a legal remedy for the emotional distress and reputational damage she has suffered.
Claims for Damages and Injunction
Akpoti-Uduaghan is requesting the court to issue an injunction that would prevent Senator Nwaebonyi, his associates, and agents from further publishing any defamatory statements about her. She is also demanding N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages for the harm caused by the malicious remarks, which have led to reputational harm, emotional distress, and embarrassment.
A Wider Political Context
The defamation suit comes amid a heated political dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and her colleagues in the Senate, particularly related to the sexual harassment allegations made against Senate President Akpabio. Nwaebonyi had been an outspoken defender of Akpabio in the controversy, further fueling the tension between him and Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Meanwhile, a socio-cultural organization from Akwa Ibom State, the Ukpum Ete Unity Association (UEUA), has also found itself in the middle of a separate controversy. The group had planned a rally in support of Akpabio regarding the sexual harassment allegations but faced criticism after Akpabio’s media aide, Jackson Udom, referred to the group’s leader, Ubong Idemudo, as “controversial.”
The Ukpum Ete Unity Association condemned Udom’s remarks, calling for an immediate retraction and apology. The group expressed dismay at the media aide’s unprofessional conduct, particularly given his role as a trained media professional working for the third-highest office in Nigeria.
Next Steps and Legal Proceedings
As the lawsuit progresses, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by M. J. Numa (SAN), will await further developments in the defamation case, while also monitoring the ongoing political controversies. The case is expected to continue drawing attention due to its high-profile nature and the involvement of prominent political figures in Nigeria’s Senate.
