Unoma Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has taken legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, filing two separate lawsuits at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The suits stem from allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, claiming that she faced challenges in the Senate after rejecting an alleged sexual advance from the Senate President.
In the first lawsuit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs. Akpabio accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory remarks that have caused her and her children emotional distress, leaving them in fear.
She argues that these statements violate her right to dignity under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
She is seeking ₦250 billion in damages and a court order preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further allegations.
In a second case (Suit No: CV/816/25), Mrs. Akpabio challenges the senator’s claim that her husband made inappropriate advances towards her.
She describes the allegations as false and malicious, asserting that they have tarnished her family’s reputation and subjected them to public scrutiny.
The controversy escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested against her seat reassignment in the Senate, causing a temporary disruption during a plenary session.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun of Edo South, with a two-week deadline for investigation.
In response to the accusations, Akpoti-Uduaghan has counter-sued Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, for ₦100 billion in defamation damages. Her legal representative, Victor Giwa, claims that Patrick published a defamatory post on Facebook, suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan believed being a senator was solely about appearances.
The dispute took another turn when Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise Television’s Morning Show, reiterating her allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio and claiming that some colleagues warned her about a plot against her.
Meanwhile, Unoma Akpabio has firmly denied the accusations, calling them baseless. “My husband is a disciplined man who respects women,” she stated.