Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that defamatory remarks have damaged her reputation. The suit, filed on 25 February 2025 before the Federal Capital Territory High Court under case number CV/737/25, names not only Akpabio but also the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, as defendants.
The controversy erupted following a Senate reshuffle that reassigned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat after several opposition members shifted allegiances to the majority. Her refusal to accept the new seating arrangement led to a heated confrontation with the Senate President, setting the stage for the ensuing legal battle.
According to her lawyer, Victor Giwa, the lawsuit centers on a Facebook post published by the aide. The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, contained statements suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan views her role as a lawmaker as merely about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.” Giwa argues that these remarks are not only defamatory and provocative but also have tarnished her dignity in the eyes of her peers and the public.
In his filing, Giwa emphasized that the defamatory content was intentionally crafted to incite public opprobrium and disaffection against his client. The suit seeks a judicial order to permanently restrain the defendants and their affiliates from publishing any further harmful statements about Akpoti-Uduaghan on social media or any other platform.
In addition to seeking an injunction, Akpoti-Uduaghan is demanding N100 billion in general damages, along with N300 million to cover litigation costs. The senator’s legal team insists that the court grant these remedies to redress the significant harm caused by the defamatory comments.
