A significant legal action has been initiated by the suspended Senator representing the Kogi Central senatorial district,Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a formal legal challenge lodged before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a substantial N5 billion lawsuit against her fellow legislator, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who represents the Ebonyi North Central Senatorial District. This legal pursuit stems from allegations of defamation arising from statements made by Senator Nwaebonyi during a recent televised interview.
The legal proceedings were formally initiated through Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Michael Numa. The lawsuit specifically targets statements made by Senator Nwaebonyi during an interview broadcast on Channels Television on March 6, 2025. Through this legal action, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan seeks a judicial declaration affirming the falsity and malicious intent behind the statements made by her colleague during the aforementioned television appearance.
In the details outlined within the filed suit, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan asserts that Senator Nwaebonyi, during the course of the televised interview, employed disparaging and defamatory language to characterize her. Specifically, she contends that Senator Nwaebonyi referred to her as a “gold digger,” a “habitual liar,” and a “habitual blackmailer.” These characterizations, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argues, are baseless and have caused significant damage to her personal and professional reputation.
Among the specific reliefs sought from the court, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has explicitly requested a judicial declaration stating that Senator Nwaebonyi’s claims are “false, malicious, and defamatory.” This request specifically targets Senator Nwaebonyi’s assertion that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is a mother to six children fathered by different men. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan vehemently denies this claim and asserts its damaging impact on her public image.
Furthermore, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasizes the detrimental effect of such remarks on her standing as a role model for women who aspire to enter the realm of politics. She argues that the propagation of such unfounded allegations undermines her efforts to inspire and encourage female participation in political processes and leadership roles within the nation.
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The legal document explicitly states Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s strong contention regarding the veracity and intent behind Senator Nwaebonyi’s statements. “The defendant’s characterisation of the claimant as a ‘mother of six from different men’ is baseless, malicious, and reckless,” the suit asserts, underscoring the gravity of the allegations and the perceived lack of factual basis for them.
In further articulating her position, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan highlights her role and impact on aspiring female politicians. “The claimant is an inspiration to women in politics and aspiring women for speaking truth to power,” the suit emphasizes, positioning her as a figure who encourages boldness and integrity in the pursuit of political aspirations and good governance. The legal document further refutes any suggestion that her actions are detrimental to women in politics, stating, “The claimant is not tarnishing the chances of women in politics as falsely alleged. Rather, she is inspiring women to be bold in their pursuit of political aspirations and good governance.”
In her petition to the court, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan explicitly contends that the statements made by Senator Nwaebonyi have caused her significant personal embarrassment and have inflicted substantial harm upon her hard-earned reputation. Consequently, she is imploring the court to issue a directive, in the form of a restraining order, that would prevent Senator Nwaebonyi from disseminating any further malicious statements directed towards her.
In addition to seeking injunctive relief, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also pursuing substantial monetary compensation for the alleged defamation. She has specifically requested the court to mandate Senator Nwaebonyi to pay a sum of N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages. This significant financial demand reflects the profound impact she believes the false, malicious, and injurious statements have had on her personal and professional life
Furthermore, she seeks “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his associates, agents, assignees, servants, privies, proxies, allies, or anyone acting on his behalf from further publishing or causing to be published the words complained of, or any other defamatory statements concerning the claimant,” aiming to permanently prevent any future similar utterances.
