Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her allegations of sexual harassment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed the development in a Facebook post on Friday, noting that she had officially received the suit dated December 5, 2025.
According to her, the lawsuit presents an opportunity to finally lay out her side of the controversy — something she says the Senate previously prevented.
She wrote, “I am pleased that Senator Akpabio has now taken this matter to court because the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges refused to hear my petition. They claimed they couldn’t consider it since his wife had already filed a defamation case against me. Since Senate rules require me to present my case before the committee, I couldn’t proceed legally.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan added that she now intends to prove the alleged harassment and how rejecting Akpabio’s advances allegedly resulted in “unprovoked and unprecedented attacks” against her.
“See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she concluded.
The tension between both lawmakers dates back to February 20, when a heated argument broke out on the Senate floor after her seat was reassigned. She protested the relocation, insisting that her parliamentary rights were infringed.
During the confrontation, she declared, “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege.”
Shortly after, she publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation he firmly rejected. The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges later recommended a six-month suspension for Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing violations of parliamentary procedures. The suspension removed her pay, security, and access to the chamber.
However, on July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja overturned the suspension, describing it as excessive and ordering her reinstatement. Upon her return, she again accused the Senate President of treating her “like domestic help.”
The legal battle now appears set to bring the long-running conflict before a court of law, where both sides will present their claims under judicial scrutiny.
