Nigerian Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan files 100bn Naira suit against Senate President, aide

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick.

The lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, alleges that Akpabio and Patrick made and published defamatory statements against her on social media, harming her reputation and dignity.

The controversy stems from a Facebook post allegedly made by Patrick, titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”

The post contained disparaging remarks about Akpoti-Uduaghan, suggesting she knew nothing about legislative rules and thought being a lawmaker was about:

“‘It is a bottled anger by the Kogi Lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules. She thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the Chambers'”.

Akpoti-Uduaghan claims the post was made at Akpabio’s request and has caused her significant harm, including public ridicule, loss of business opportunities, and damage to her reputation among colleagues and constituents.

She is seeking N100 billion in general damages, N300 million in litigation costs, a public apology, and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing defamatory statements against her.

In the suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking:

“A declaration that the Facebook post is defamatory and has lowered her esteem in the eyes of the public and an order compelling the defendants to withdraw the publication and issue a public apology in a national daily newspaper.

“A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing defamatory statements.

N100 billion in general damages for the harm caused to her reputation and N300 million as the cost of legal action.”

This lawsuit is the latest development in the ongoing tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio. Their relationship has been strained, with Akpabio allegedly undermining her role as a senator, including removing her from key committees and reassigning her Senate seat without notice.

Timeline of the feud

The feud between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio has its roots in several incidents and disagreements. Here are some key events that have contributed to the tension between them:

1. Public Rebuke: In July 2024, during a Senate plenary session, Akpabio reprimanded Akpoti-Uduaghan for speaking without proper recognition, saying, “This is not a nightclub.”

The remark was widely criticized for being sexist and demeaning.

2. Seating Arrangement Dispute: On February 20, 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seat had been reassigned without prior notice.

She refused to occupy the new seat, interpreting it as an attempt to diminish her visibility and stifle her contributions.

3. Defamatory Facebook Post:

The latest incident involves a Facebook post allegedly made by Mfon Patrick, Akpabio’s aide, which contained perceived disparaging remarks about Akpoti-Uduaghan.

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