Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken legal action against her colleague, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North, for allegedly making damaging remarks about her on national television. She is demanding N5 billion in damages.
Akpoti-Uduaghan filed the suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. Through her lawyer, Michael Numa, she accused Nwaebonyi of defaming her character during a live interview on Channels Television on March 6, 2025.
In the court papers, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Nwaebonyi made several offensive statements during the interview. According to her, the Ebonyi senator described her as a “gold digger, habitual liar, and habitual blackmailer.”
He also reportedly said she is “a mother of six children from different men.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan strongly denied all the allegations and described them as “false, malicious, and defamatory.” She said the statements were intended to damage her reputation, especially as a woman in politics.
“The defendant’s characterisation of the claimant as a ‘mother of six from different men’ is baseless, malicious, and reckless,” the suit read.
She added that Nwaebonyi’s words have “brought her public embarrassment and shame” and harmed her image as a role model to many women in Nigeria who are interested in politics.
“I have always encouraged women to be bold, to speak truth to power, and to pursue political leadership with courage. The claim that I am destroying the chances of women in politics is a complete lie,” she stated.
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The senator noted that the false statements go beyond personal attacks, as they could discourage other women from stepping into leadership roles for fear of similar treatment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan asked the court to stop Nwaebonyi from making any more defamatory remarks about her. She also requested the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing the Ebonyi senator, or anyone acting on his behalf, from repeating the statements or making similar ones in the future.
In addition to the N5 billion in damages for what she described as “aggravated and exemplary harm,” the suspended senator wants the court to publicly declare that the statements made against her were lies and intended to injure her reputation.
“The false accusations have caused significant emotional distress and have affected how people view me,” she said.
This lawsuit adds to the growing tension within the Nigerian Senate, especially after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier suspension. While the reason for her suspension is unrelated to this case, it has heightened attention around her political career.