The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking ₦100 billion in general damages and an additional ₦300 million in litigation costs.
The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, also lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mfon Patrick, a Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President, as co-defendants.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal action follows a Facebook post made by Patrick, allegedly at Akpabio’s direction, which contained remarks suggesting that the senator believed being a lawmaker was only about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.” Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, argues that these comments are defamatory and have tarnished her reputation among her colleagues and the public.
This lawsuit comes amid growing tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership. She has previously accused the leadership of marginalization and harassment, pointing to incidents such as the sudden reassignment of her Senate seat and her exclusion from international engagements.
Expressing concerns over a possible suspension, she stated, “I know that right now, they are planning my suspension. If I am suspended, fine. It will not stop me from doing my work.”
