Court Summons Senate President Akpabio, Senator Nwaebonyi Over Allegations by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi have been summoned by two separate high courts in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over serious allegations including sexual harassment, defamation, and the violation of fundamental rights raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.

In the first suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi granted leave to Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve court documents on Akpabio both personally and in his official capacity as Senate President. The court also directed that Mfon Patrick, Akpabio’s senior legislative aide, and the clerk of the National Assembly be served accordingly. The motion, filed by her counsel U.J. Udoh and supported by a sworn affidavit from Hamzat Mogaji of Victor Giwa & Associates, is set for further proceedings on June 9.

In a separate case, FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, Justice A.O. Otaluka granted permission for Nwaebonyi to be served by substituted means. This motion, moved by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Michael J. Numa, also representing Akpoti-Uduaghan, was supported by an affidavit and written address. The matter was adjourned to June 25 for the report of service.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously filed a N5 billion defamation suit against Nwaebonyi, citing statements made during a live interview on Channels Television’s *Sunrise Daily* on March 6. She claims Nwaebonyi falsely accused her of having six children with different men and labelled her a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer,” further alleging that her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, married her under duress.

Her legal team argues the statements were not only false but intended to damage her reputation and influence public sentiment against her, particularly in relation to her petition pending before the Senate. She is seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent Nwaebonyi and his associates from making further defamatory statements.

In addition to the defamation case, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and claims his legislative aide defamed her character. She is asking the court for N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs.

These legal actions follow her controversial suspension from the Senate, officially attributed to alleged gross misconduct stemming from a seating dispute involving Akpabio. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly contested that explanation, insisting her suspension was in retaliation for her harassment claims against the Senate President.