Senate President’s Wife Files Lawsuit Against Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan for Defamation and Fundamental Rights Violation
The ongoing legal battle between Mrs. Ekaette-Unoma Akpabio, the wife of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken a significant turn with the filing of a series of lawsuits in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The lawsuits are centered on claims of defamation and violations of Mrs. Akpabio’s fundamental rights following remarks made by Senator Natasha during a televised interview on Arise News TV.
Mrs. Akpabio, through her legal representatives, has sought substantial damages in the amount of N250 billion as well as an unconditional apology from Senator Natasha, with the apology to be published in two widely circulated newspapers. The case has garnered considerable public attention due to the nature of the allegations, the high-profile figures involved, and the potential implications for the reputations and personal lives of both parties.
The heart of Mrs. Akpabio’s claims lies in statements made by Senator Natasha during her appearance on Arise News TV, where she allegedly accused Senator Godswill Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her. Mrs. Akpabio’s legal team has argued that these accusations were both false and damaging, and as a result, they have caused significant harm to her and her family.
The lawsuits, filed under the umbrella of defamation and violation of fundamental rights, address two key issues: the emotional and psychological distress caused by the public allegations and the reputational damage inflicted upon the Akpabio family. According to the documents filed in court, Mrs. Akpabio asserts that the allegations made by Senator Natasha have resulted in personal harm, including the distress of living under a perceived threat and facing public humiliation.
The first suit, filed under Suit No: CV/814/25, is focused on what Mrs. Akpabio’s legal team describes as a violation of her fundamental rights. This claim is grounded in Section 34(1)(a) of the amended 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and Articles 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act). Mrs. Akpabio seeks a declaration that the allegations made by Senator Natasha in the Senate, as well as subsequent remarks during the Arise News interview, constitute a violation of her rights.
Specifically, Mrs. Akpabio is seeking the following from the court:
- A Declaration of Violation of Rights: Mrs. Akpabio is requesting the court to declare that the statements made by Senator Natasha, both on the Senate floor and during the Arise News TV interview, violated her fundamental rights, particularly her right to dignity and protection from emotional and psychological abuse.
- An Order of Perpetual Injunction: She is seeking an injunction that would prevent Senator Natasha, or any other party acting on her behalf, from making further harmful statements. This includes any future inciteful, scandalous, or spiteful remarks that would continue to cause emotional distress to Mrs. Akpabio and her children. This would be aimed at ensuring that Mrs. Akpabio and her family can live without the constant fear of further defamation.
- A Demand for N250 Billion in Damages: In addition to the injunctions, Mrs. Akpabio is demanding a massive sum of N250 billion as exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages. The amount requested is a reflection of the serious psychological and emotional toll the defamation is alleged to have caused, as well as the damage to the Akpabio family’s reputation.
The second lawsuit, identified as Suit No: CV/816/25, addresses the defamation aspect of the case in more detail. Mrs. Akpabio claims that Senator Natasha’s allegations of sexual advances made by Senator Godswill Akpabio against her have caused irreparable damage to the Akpabio family’s reputation. The allegations were made publicly and, according to the lawsuit, were made without any concrete evidence or proof, which Mrs. Akpabio argues constitutes defamation.
Mrs. Akpabio is pursuing the following objectives in this case:
- A Declaration of Defamation: Mrs. Akpabio seeks a court declaration that Senator Natasha’s public accusation has caused significant damage to the Akpabio family’s reputation. The statement, made during a televised interview, allegedly subjected Mrs. Akpabio and her family to public opprobrium, ridicule, and disgrace.
- An Order of Retraction and Apology: Mrs. Akpabio is requesting that Senator Natasha issue a formal written retraction of the defamatory statements made on national television. Furthermore, Mrs. Akpabio seeks an unconditional public apology, which is to be published in two major newspapers: The Guardian and This Day Newspapers. The public apology would serve as an acknowledgment of the harm caused by the accusations and an attempt to repair the reputational damage.
- A Demand for N1 Billion in Damages: Mrs. Akpabio has also requested the sum of N1 billion as punitive and exemplary damages for the defamation caused by Senator Natasha’s statements. This amount is intended to compensate the Akpabio family for the harm done to their personal and public standing as a result of the allegations.
- An Order of Perpetual Injunction: Similar to the fundamental rights case, Mrs. Akpabio is seeking an injunction that would prevent Senator Natasha from making any further defamatory statements against her or her family. This would also include any efforts to spread such defamatory words through other channels or media outlets.
This lawsuit comes at a particularly sensitive time, as it involves two high-profile political figures in Nigeria—Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent opposition figure. The legal dispute is not just about defamation and personal injury but also about political power dynamics. Mrs. Akpabio’s claims are seen as a direct challenge to Senator Natasha’s credibility, particularly given her position as a public figure.
The political backdrop of the case adds another layer of complexity. The ruling party and opposition have been at odds for some time, and the public nature of the dispute could further polarize Nigerian politics. The case also raises questions about the legal framework for addressing defamation in Nigeria, particularly in the context of politicians who often wield significant public influence. The outcome of the case could set important legal precedents in Nigerian law regarding defamation and the protection of fundamental rights.
As of now, Senator Natasha has not issued a formal public statement in response to the lawsuits. However, her legal team is expected to vigorously defend her position in court, challenging the claims of defamation and the violation of Mrs. Akpabio’s fundamental rights. In previous public statements, Senator Natasha has maintained that she did not make false allegations and that her comments were based on her personal experience.
The legal proceedings are likely to unfold over several months, with both sides presenting evidence and making their arguments in court. Given the high-profile nature of the case and the political figures involved, the public and media scrutiny will likely continue to grow, with each development being closely followed by both supporters and critics.
For Mrs. Akpabio, the legal battle is not just about seeking justice; it is also about protecting her family’s reputation and dignity. The emotional toll of public defamation, especially in the context of an accusation as serious as sexual harassment, can be immense. In her lawsuit, Mrs. Akpabio emphasized the psychological harm that the defamatory statements had caused, not only to herself but also to her children, who have been subjected to public scrutiny as a result of the allegations.
The Akpabio family’s position in Nigerian politics and society is undoubtedly affected by this dispute, and the outcome of the legal proceedings will have long-lasting consequences for their personal and public lives. Mrs. Akpabio’s pursuit of justice through the courts reflects a desire to protect her family’s honor and ensure that such allegations do not go unchecked.
The case has generated significant media attention in Nigeria, with many news outlets providing detailed coverage of the developments. Public reactions have been mixed, with some expressing sympathy for Mrs. Akpabio, while others question the timing and motives behind the lawsuit. Political analysts have noted that the case may have broader implications for how defamation cases involving politicians are handled in Nigeria.
The media’s role in this case will also be critical. The court-mandated apology, to be published in prominent newspapers, is likely to attract further media scrutiny, and public opinion will play a key role in shaping the narrative surrounding the case.
The legal battle between Mrs. Ekaette-Unoma Akpabio and Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan is a high-stakes case that involves issues of defamation, emotional distress, and the protection of fundamental rights. With significant damages being sought and a public apology requested, the case has the potential to reshape the legal landscape for defamation cases in Nigeria. As the lawsuit progresses, it will be closely watched by both political observers and the general public, with the outcome likely to have lasting implications for both parties and the broader political environment.