Senate Clashes with Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as N100.3bn Lawsuit Rocks National Assembly
In a dramatic escalation of tensions within the Nigerian Senate, lawmakers have rallied behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District filed a staggering N100.3bn defamation lawsuit against him.
The lawsuit, which has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, stems from a heated confrontation between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan last week over the controversial relocation of her Senate seat. The verbal altercation, which played out in full view of the public, has now turned into a full-blown legal battle.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator, formally filed suit CV/737/25 before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on February 25, 2025, accusing Akpabio of defamation. The lawsuit also names the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as co-defendants.
The storm erupted after the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, lashed out at Akpoti-Uduaghan during a Channels Television interview on February 21, condemning her bold stance against the Senate President. He dismissed her actions as political theatrics, stating, “The National Assembly is not for content creation in entertainment. The National Assembly is for serious business.”
The firestorm intensified when Patrick allegedly took to Facebook to publish a statement titled, ‘Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?’ The post included an incendiary remark, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of being more focused on “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers” than on legislative duties.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Victor Giwa, denounced the statement as an outrageous attack on her integrity, arguing that it was defamatory, provocative, and deliberately designed to tarnish her reputation among her colleagues and the public.
The embattled senator is demanding a court declaration that the statement was defamatory and has urged the judiciary to issue a perpetual injunction preventing Akpabio and his associates from making further derogatory remarks against her.
She is also pressing for a jaw-dropping N100bn in general damages and an additional N300m in litigation costs, making this one of the most high-profile defamation cases in Nigeria’s recent history.
As tensions soar within the Senate, political analysts warn that the lawsuit could further fracture relationships within the upper legislative chamber. The case is expected to be closely watched, with many awaiting the court’s decision on the explosive claims.
For now, the Senate remains a battlefield, and all eyes are on the judiciary as it prepares to weigh in on this unprecedented legal showdown.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions within the Nigerian Senate, lawmakers have rallied behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District filed a staggering N100.3bn defamation lawsuit against him.
The lawsuit, which has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, stems from a heated confrontation between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan last week over the controversial relocation of her Senate seat. The verbal altercation, which played out in full view of the public, has now turned into a full-blown legal battle.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator, formally filed suit CV/737/25 before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on February 25, 2025, accusing Akpabio of defamation. The lawsuit also names the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as co-defendants.
The storm erupted after the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, lashed out at Akpoti-Uduaghan during a Channels Television interview on February 21, condemning her bold stance against the Senate President. He dismissed her actions as political theatrics, stating, “The National Assembly is not for content creation in entertainment. The National Assembly is for serious business.”
The firestorm intensified when Patrick allegedly took to Facebook to publish a statement titled, ‘Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?’ The post included an incendiary remark, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of being more focused on “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers” than on legislative duties.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Victor Giwa, denounced the statement as an outrageous attack on her integrity, arguing that it was defamatory, provocative, and deliberately designed to tarnish her reputation among her colleagues and the public.
The embattled senator is demanding a court declaration that the statement was defamatory and has urged the judiciary to issue a perpetual injunction preventing Akpabio and his associates from making further derogatory remarks against her.
She is also pressing for a jaw-dropping N100bn in general damages and an additional N300m in litigation costs, making this one of the most high-profile defamation cases in Nigeria’s recent history.
As tensions soar within the Senate, political analysts warn that the lawsuit could further fracture relationships within the upper legislative chamber. The case is expected to be closely watched, with many awaiting the court’s decision on the explosive claims.
For now, the Senate remains a battlefield, and all eyes are on the judiciary as it prepares to weigh in on this unprecedented legal showdown.