Court takes action on Akpabio over case with Natasha
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to appear in court on June 9, 2025, following a N100 billion defamation lawsuit filed against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The suit comes after Akpabio allegedly failed to show up in court on May 7, prompting Natasha’s legal team to request substituted service.
Justice Idris Kutigi granted the request, allowing court documents to be delivered through the Clerk of the National Assembly.
The court confirmed that Akpabio has now officially received the summons through this method.
The case, marked FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, was filed over claims made by Akpabio that Natasha says damaged her name and public image.
She is asking the court to make him pay for what she describes as an attempt to ruin her reputation.
In a separate case, the same day also saw another court summon Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, over similar claims involving defamation, breach of rights, and sexual harassment.
The suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, was heard by Justice A.O. Otaluka. Natasha’s legal team was also allowed to serve documents on Nwaebonyi by substituted means.
According to court filings, Natasha accused Nwaebonyi of spreading false stories about her, including claims during a television interview that she had children with different men and that her husband married her unwillingly.
She said these statements were not only untrue but aimed at turning the public against her and justifying her suspension from the Senate.
She further alleged that Nwaebonyi, who is part of the Senate Committee on Ethics, used his position to damage her image, especially while her petition was being reviewed.
Natasha also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and claimed his aide made statements that further harmed her reputation.
In addition to asking for compensation of N100 billion and legal costs of N300 million, she wants the court to stop Akpabio, Nwaebonyi, and others from repeating or spreading the claims any further.
The matter involving Akpabio will continue on June 9, while the case against Nwaebonyi has been postponed to June 25.
