Defamation suit: Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan absent from court

The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in Nigeria’s Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was absent in court when the suit she filed against Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Mfon Patrick came up for hearing today, Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

The Senator was rather represented at the hearing by Barr. O.U. Ugbogbo.

In the suit filed since February and marked CV/754/2025, Senator Akpoti claimed she was defamed by Mr. Mfon Patrick, a Senior Legislative Aide to the President of the Senate.

Curiously, Senator Godswill Akpabio was also sued in his personal capacity.

But since after filing the suit, only the office of the President of the Senate has been served with the originating process and no attempt has been made to serve others.

When the case came up today, Senator Akpoti’s lawyer could not explain to the Court why processes have not been served on Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Mfon Patrick since February when the case was filed.

Apparently infuriated by Senator Akpoti’s Lawyer’s obvious ignorance of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, the presiding Judge, A. I. Kutigi thundered, “don’t come and stare at the ceiling. You have to be serious about this case and resort to the Rules”.

Counsel for Mr. Mfon Patrick, Fidel Albert, Esq informed the Court that he was appearing under protest as his client had equally not been served with the Court processes and only became aware of the case on social media.

Counsel to Senator Natasha Akpoti pleaded with the Court for more time to put their house in order, an application which was not opposed.

Consequently, the case has been further adjourned to June 9 to enable Senator Akpoti file all necessary applications, if any.

Background of the feud

The feud between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan started over a seat rearrangement in the Senate chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, challenged the rearrangement, which led to her suspension from the Senate for six months.

She alleged sexual harassment, intimidation, and plots to assassinate her, all of which Akpabio denied.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed her outburst on the Senate floor.

Her constituents have also attempted to recall her from the Senate, although the petition was rejected by INEC for not meeting constitutional requirements.

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