Abuja, Nigeria — Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has taken legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, filing lawsuits at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over allegations of defamation and human rights violations.
The lawsuits follow claims by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, that she faced challenges in the Senate after rejecting alleged sexual advances from the Senate President.
In a suit on fundamental rights violations (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs. Akpabio accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making “false and scandalous statements” that caused emotional distress to her and her children, leaving them in fear for their safety. She is requesting the court to declare these statements a violation of her dignity, as protected under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Additionally, she is seeking N250 billion in damages and a perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further allegations against her.
A separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25) challenges Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims against Senator Akpabio, which Mrs. Akpabio describes as “false, malicious, and damaging.” She argues that these accusations have brought “public embarrassment and disrepute” to her family. She is demanding a public apology and N1 billion in damages.
The court has yet to set a date for the hearings.
Senate Dispute Intensifies
Tensions between the two lawmakers escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate seat was relocated without prior notice, leading to a protest that momentarily disrupted plenary proceedings. The Senate subsequently referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun (Edo South), with a directive to investigate and report its findings within two weeks.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, alleging damage to her reputation among fellow senators and the public.
The controversy deepened on Friday when Akpoti-Uduaghan, appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, reiterated her accusations, claiming that some senators had warned her to accept the seating change as part of a broader scheme against her. She further alleged that Senator Akpabio had sexually harassed her.
Mrs. Akpabio has firmly denied the allegations against her husband, stating: “My husband is a disciplined man who respects women.”
The Senate leadership has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter.
By Taiwo Olatinwo |March 1, 2025.
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