Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The legal action comes amid an ongoing Senate investigation into a verbal altercation between the two lawmakers over seating arrangements during plenary last Thursday.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, claims that Akpabio tarnished her reputation through a social media post published by his aide on Facebook.
She alleged that the post, titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, falsely portrayed her as someone who prioritizes makeup and wearing transparent outfits over understanding legislative duties.
She insisted that the publication was defamatory, provocative, and damaging to her dignity in the eyes of her colleagues and the public.
The lawsuit, marked CV/737/25, cites Akpabio in his personal capacity alongside the Senate and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, as co-defendants.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the court to compel the defendants to withdraw the alleged defamatory statements, issue a written apology, and publish the apology in a widely circulated national newspaper.
She is also seeking N100 billion in general damages and an additional N300 million to cover the cost of the litigation.
Furthermore, she is requesting a perpetual injunction preventing the defendants from making any further defamatory statements against her.
The legal battle follows a recent controversy in the Senate, where Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the unauthorized change of her seating position, reportedly influenced by the defection of opposition lawmakers to the ruling party.
Her attempt to challenge the decision led to a heated exchange with Akpabio, who subsequently ordered security operatives to escort her out of the chamber, sparking widespread reactions across the country.
Amid the dispute, the Senate has launched an investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, referring the matter to its Ethics, Conduct, and Public Petitions Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen of Edo South.
Presenting a report on the issue, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, highlighted the reputational damage caused by media coverage of the incident.
Other senators, including Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Minority Leader Abba Moro, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, expressed concerns over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct, recommending a thorough inquiry by the Ethics Committee.
Akpabio, defending his actions, emphasized the importance of maintaining order in the Senate and following parliamentary procedures, stating that senators are expected to adhere to assigned seating arrangements.
He also suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan was unfamiliar with Senate rules, noting that discipline and order must be upheld within the legislative chamber.
Following these developments, the Senate has adjourned plenary until next week to allow members to participate in a three-day retreat focused on tax reform legislation.
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