Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Senate President Akpabio, Demands N1.3bn Damages

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has escalated political tensions by filing a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Read our follow-up news report detailing the allegations, court filings, and the political fallout from a controversial Facebook post.

Following the last chaotic mehem at the National Aseembly in Abuja, in a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for alleged defamation, setting off a firestorm in Nigeria’s political arena. The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court under case number CV/737/25, centers on a series of controversial statements that have raised serious concerns about decorum and accountability within the Senate.

Symfoni News reports that the controversy began when a reshuffle in the Senate, triggered by opposition members aligning with the majority wing, resulted in the unexpected reassignment of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate seat. The senator’s immediate resistance to this reassignment quickly escalated into a public confrontation with Senate President Akpabio. What started as a procedural disagreement soon transformed into a personal and politically charged battle, as Akpoti-Uduaghan now claims that defamatory remarks were made against her by high-ranking officials. According to the legal documents, not only is Senate President Akpabio implicated in the alleged defamation, but the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President, Mfon Patrick, have also been named as defendants in the suit.

Read up: https://symfoninews.com/chaos-in-house-as-senator-natasha-challenges/

The heart of the lawsuit is a Facebook post authored by Mfon Patrick, which was reportedly published at the behest of both the Senate President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The post, provocatively titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, contained remarks that painted the senator in an unflattering light. Specifically, the post suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan believed that her role as a lawmaker was little more than an opportunity for vanity, insinuating that her position was about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.” This characterization, according to her lawyer Victor Giwa, was not only misleading but designed to undermine her reputation among her colleagues and the public at large.

Victor Giwa, representing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, argued vehemently that the statement was defamatory, provocative, and disparaging. In his legal submission, he asserted that the post was a deliberate attempt to provoke public opprobrium and disaffection against his client. Giwa went on to claim that the remarks, characterized as “bottled anger by the Kogi lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules,” were part of a calculated effort to tarnish the senator’s dignity and erode her credibility within the Senate. This case of alleged defamation is particularly significant as it touches upon the broader issues of freedom of expression and the responsibilities of public officials in the digital age.

The lawsuit seeks a dual form of legal relief. Firstly, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction that would permanently restrain the defendants and any of their associates from publishing further defamatory content on social media or any other platform. This move is aimed at preventing any future damage to her reputation. Secondly, the suit demands substantial financial compensation, seeking N100 billion in general damages along with N300 million to cover litigation costs. These hefty sums underscore the severity with which her legal team views the damage inflicted by the defamatory statements.

This case, now emerging as one of the most high-profile legal battles in Nigerian politics, has ignited a heated debate among political observers, lawmakers, and the public. Critics have warned that the legal proceedings could deepen existing divisions within the Senate, further polarizing an already fractured political landscape. Meanwhile, supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argue that her decision to file this lawsuit is a crucial step toward holding powerful figures accountable for their words and actions. They believe that such a stand is necessary to safeguard the dignity and integrity of the political process, especially in an era where social media has become a potent tool for both communication and character assassination.

As the case unfolds, legal experts and political analysts are closely watching the proceedings, noting that the outcome could set an important precedent for how defamation is addressed within Nigerian politics. The court’s decision on both the injunction and the financial claims will be keenly anticipated by stakeholders on all sides. With the case raising critical questions about the intersection of social media, public office, and free speech, its resolution is expected to have far-reaching implications for political discourse and accountability in Nigeria.

This lawsuit, centered on the “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defamation lawsuit,” not only underscores the challenges of modern political communication but also highlights the risks public figures face in the age of instantaneous digital criticism. The developments in this case will undoubtedly shape the narrative around political accountability and the responsible use of social media by elected officials in Nigeria. Stay tuned for further updates as this contentious legal battle continues to evolve and potentially reshape the dynamics of power in Nigerian politics.