Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has instituted a ₦100 billion lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of defamation over a social media post that allegedly demeaned her.
The suit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday, names Akpabio, along with his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, as defendants.
According to court documents submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, the defamation claim stems from a post on Facebook by Akpabio’s aide titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” The post allegedly contained disparaging remarks about the senator’s appearance and her understanding of legislative processes.
Giwa argued that the statement was not only defamatory but also damaging to his client’s reputation, portraying her as unserious and incompetent.
“The words, ‘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,’ were written at the prompting of the 1st and 2nd defendants. These remarks are defamatory, provocative, and intended to subject the claimant to public ridicule,” the suit reads in part.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a declaration that the statements are defamatory and is asking the court to impose a perpetual injunction restraining Akpabio and his associates from making further defamatory statements against her.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies, or associates from further publishing defamatory statements about the claimant on social media or any other platform,” she requested.
Beyond the injunction, the senator is demanding ₦100 billion as general damages, along with ₦300 million to cover the cost of litigation.
The defamation suit comes amid heightened tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio, following the recent reshuffling of Senate seating arrangements.
The Kogi lawmaker had protested the reassignment of her seat, leading to a confrontation with the Senate President. Subsequently, she was referred to the Senate Disciplinary Committee.
