The legal battle between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, has intensified following allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Mrs. Akpabio has taken legal action, filing two separate lawsuits—one for fundamental rights violations and another for defamation—at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
She is seeking a total of N251 billion in damages.
The lawsuits come in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public allegations that Akpabio had made persistent sexual advances toward her and that his hostility in the Senate stemmed from her refusal.
These claims were made during a televised interview and have since sparked widespread debate.
In the fundamental rights lawsuit, filed under Suit No: CV/814/25, Mrs. Akpabio argues that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements violated her dignity and fundamental rights.
She cited Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, to support her claims.
She is requesting a court declaration stating that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan in the Senate and during her interview on Arise News TV infringed upon her rights.
Furthermore, she is seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further “scandalous and inciteful” remarks, which she claims have caused emotional distress for her and her children.
Additionally, she is demanding N250 billion in damages for the alleged violation of her fundamental rights.
Meanwhile, in the defamation lawsuit, filed under Suit No: CV/816/25, Mrs. Akpabio claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations have damaged her family’s reputation.
She argues that the allegations, made publicly without proof, have brought disrepute to her family and personal life.
She is requesting a court declaration that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on national television were defamatory.
Moreover, she is demanding a public retraction and apology, to be published in The Guardian and ThisDay newspapers.
Additionally, she is seeking N1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages.
To prevent further harm, she has also requested a perpetual injunction to stop Akpoti-Uduaghan from making similar statements in the future.
The lawsuits have triggered strong reactions from both legal experts and political observers. Some believe that Mrs.
Akpabio is within her rights to defend herself against what she perceives as damaging accusations.
Others, however, argue that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims are serious and should also be fairly considered, given the implications they hold for the Senate President.
Before taking legal action, Mrs. Akpabio had publicly dismissed the allegations, insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan fabricated the claims for personal and political gain.
She also warned of legal consequences during a press conference, stating that her family would not tolerate defamatory remarks.
“The statements made in the Senate and on national television were meant to cause harm and incite public outrage against my family,” Mrs. Akpabio said.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan has remained firm in her position, stating that her accusations were based on real events.
She previously claimed that Akpabio had attempted to make inappropriate advances towards her, even in the presence of her husband.
She also alleged that her refusal to comply with Akpabio’s demands had led to unfair treatment in the Senate, further escalating tensions between them.
The legal battle has now reached the courts, where both parties will have the opportunity to present their arguments and evidence.
However, with both women feeling aggrieved by the situation, the case highlights the importance of a fair judicial process in resolving sensitive disputes of this nature.
This case has also raised broader discussions about gender dynamics and power struggles within Nigeria’s political landscape.
Both women have expressed distress over the situation, making it essential for the court to carefully evaluate the claims and counterclaims.
While Mrs. Akpabio seeks legal redress to protect her family’s reputation, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains that she has been wronged and deserves justice.
