Senate President Akpabio Sues Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for N200 Billion Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over claims that he sexually harassed her. The suit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Motion No. M/12725/2025, seeks substantial damages, public apologies, and the removal of all online content related to the allegations.
Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receiving the suit on Thursday, stating:
“Today being the 5th of December, 2025, I have received the newly instituted N200 billion suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio alleging defamation on sexual harassment.”
The senator welcomed the development, pointing out that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had previously refused to hear her petition. She added:
“I am glad that Sen. Akpabio has taken this step because the Ethics Committee had declined to grant me audience, citing the fact that his wife had already filed a defamation case against me. Therefore, they could not address a matter that was already in court.”
Court documents reveal that Akpabio accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of giving interviews and making public statements on television, radio, and online portraying him as a predator who exploited his position for personal gain. He claims the allegations were widely disseminated, affecting “millions of Nigerians” and causing significant reputational damage, humiliation, and distress.
The suit demands retractions across media platforms, removal of all related online materials, public apologies broadcast on major media outlets for several consecutive days, and N200 billion in damages.
Akpabio reportedly filed an ex parte application in December seeking approval to serve the suit through alternative means after attempts to serve Akpoti-Uduaghan directly were unsuccessful. Justice Kekemeke granted the request, permitting service of court documents via the Clerk of the National Assembly or any staff member in the office.
The court order reads in part:
“AN ORDER of the Honourable Court granting leave to the Claimant/Applicant to serve the Originating Processes… by delivering same to the Clerk of the National Assembly, or any staff in the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly… AN ORDER …deeming the said mode of service of the processes on the Defendant as good and proper service.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that Senate rules initially prevented her from approaching the courts directly, as complaints had to first be presented to the Senate Ethics Committee. She said:
“By Senate rules, I could not proceed to court until I presented my case before the Ethics Committee, the same committee that recommended my illegal suspension.”
She added that the lawsuit now allows her to formally present her allegations:
“I now have the chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to comply with his demands triggered a series of unprovoked attacks against me.”
Concluding her statement, she said:
“See you in court, Godswill Akpabio. Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi Central.”
The case, Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, is expected to progress in the coming weeks and is shaping up to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political legal battles.
