Unoma Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed two lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged defamation and violation of fundamental human rights. The cases, filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, stem from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected sexual advances from the Senate President.
Akpabio’s Wife Seeks ₦250 Billion in Damages
In the first lawsuit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs. Akpabio alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements caused her and her children emotional distress and left them fearing for their safety. She argued that the allegations violated her constitutional right to dignity and also breached the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Mrs. Akpabio is seeking a court declaration that the senator’s statements were unlawful, along with ₦250 billion in damages and a perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further claims against her and her husband.
In the second lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), which focuses on defamation, Mrs. Akpabio described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against her husband as “false, malicious, and damaging.” She said the claims had tarnished her family’s reputation and exposed them to public ridicule.
“The allegations have caused untold pain and emotional trauma to me and my family,” Mrs. Akpabio stated in her lawsuit.
She is demanding a public apology from Akpoti-Uduaghan in two major newspapers, The Guardian and ThisDay, as well as ₦1 billion in compensation for reputational damage.
Senate Dispute Sparks Controversy
The legal battle follows a heated disagreement between both senators that began when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered her seating position in the Senate had been changed without prior notice. She protested the action, leading to a brief disruption during a Senate plenary session.
The Senate later referred the matter to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun from Edo South, for investigation. The committee was given two weeks to submit its report.
In response to the seating controversy and subsequent allegations, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick.
Also Read:
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, argued that Patrick had published defamatory content about Akpoti-Uduaghan on Facebook, mocking her role as a senator. The post, titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, alleged that she focused more on fashion and appearance rather than legislative work.
Giwa described the Facebook post as “provocative and damaging,” stating that it had lowered his client’s reputation among her colleagues and the public.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Stands by Her Allegations
The controversy deepened on Friday when Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise Television’s Morning Show and openly accused Senate President Akpabio of sexually harassing her. She claimed that some senators had advised her to accept the seat change because it was part of a larger scheme against her.
Despite the legal threats, Akpoti-Uduaghan has not backed down. Her allegations have sparked mixed reactions, with some calling for a thorough investigation into the claims.
Akpabio’s Wife Denies Accusations
Meanwhile, Mrs. Akpabio has strongly denied the accusations against her husband, describing them as baseless and false.
“My husband is a disciplined man who respects women,” she said in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims.