A high-profile legal battle has erupted in Nigeria’s political sphere as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking N1.3 billion in damages.
The lawsuit, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, stems from an allegedly defamatory social media post published by Akpabio’s aide, which Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan claims has severely tarnished her reputation as a senator, businesswoman, and human rights advocate.
The controversy began on February 20, 2025, when a heated dispute over the reassignment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s senate seat led to her forcible removal from the chamber by security personnel.
The incident, which sparked widespread public outrage and debate, was followed by a Facebook post from Akpabio’s aide, Mfon Patrick, titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate NATASHA’s BIRTHRIGHT?”
The post, according to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, contained provocative and disparaging remarks that questioned her authority and legitimacy within the Senate, particularly regarding her role in the Local Content Committee.
In her lawsuit, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that the post, published without her consent or justification, was a deliberate attempt to malign her character and undermine her standing among her colleagues, constituents, and the Nigerian public.
She argues that the statements not only damaged her reputation but also inflicted emotional distress and professional harm, given her stature as a prominent politician and social entrepreneur.
The senator, represented by a team of lawyers led by Mr. Victor Giwa, is demanding that the court compel Akpabio and his aide to retract the defamatory statements, issue a public apology in writing, and pay the N1.3 billion in damages as compensation for the harm caused.
The lawsuit also seeks an injunction to prevent further defamatory publications against her by the defendants.
This legal action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio, which has been fueled by political rivalries and disagreements within the Nigerian Senate.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who won her senatorial seat in a contentious 2023 election and was confirmed as the legitimate winner by the Court of Appeal in October of that year, has been a vocal advocate for human rights and local content development in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Akpabio, the 15th President of the Nigerian Senate since 2023, has faced scrutiny over his political decisions and past allegations of corruption during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015.
The Senate, on its part, has responded to the February 20 incident by directing its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions to investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct, with a report expected within three weeks.
However, her legal team contends that the defamation lawsuit is separate from the Senate’s internal probe and focuses solely on the reputational damage caused by Akpabio’s aide.
Public reactions on social media platform X have been mixed, with some users praising Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s boldness in challenging a high-ranking official, while others criticized the N1.3 billion damages claim as excessive.
Comments ranged from support for her fight against defamation to skepticism about the political motivations behind the lawsuit.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is being closely watched by political analysts, legal experts, and the Nigerian public, who see it as a test of accountability and free speech within Nigeria’s political elite.
The Federal High Court has yet to set a date for the hearing, but the outcome could have far-reaching implications for political discourse and defamation laws in Nigeria.
For now, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains resolute, stating through her legal representatives, “This lawsuit is not just about me—it’s about upholding the dignity and integrity of every Nigerian public servant who faces unjust attacks on their reputation. We will seek justice through the courts.”
Senate President Akpabio and his office have not yet issued an official response to the lawsuit, but the political tension in Nigeria’s Senate continues to dominate national headlines.
