Senator Natasha Akpoti Sues Senator Nwaebonyi For ₦5 Billion Over Alleged Defamatory Remarks

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has taken legal action against fellow lawmaker, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, over statements she claims were defamatory and damaging to her personal and professional reputation.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, accuses Senator Nwaebonyi—who represents Ebonyi North and serves as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate—of making false and malicious allegations during a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program aired on March 6, 2025.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lead counsel, M.J. Numa (SAN), is seeking ₦5 billion in damages. The statements in question reportedly described her as a “gold digger,” a “chronic liar,” and a “habitual blackmailer.” Nwaebonyi also allegedly claimed she had “six children by different men” and that her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, had married her under coercion.

In her court filing, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that the remarks were not only false but intentionally crafted to tarnish her image and undermine her credibility, especially in the political space.

“These comments were widely aired and amplified across various media platforms, reaching a broad audience,” her legal team noted. The suit added that the remarks were intended to depict her as someone who manipulates others for financial gain and forms relationships purely for personal benefit.

She asserted that the statements falsely portrayed her as deceitful, unethical, and manipulative—an attempt, she claims, to justify her controversial suspension from the Senate and derail an ongoing petition she has before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. Senator Nwaebonyi is also a member of that committee.

Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized her role as a trailblazer for women in politics, stating that far from harming the image of female politicians, she serves as a beacon of courage and integrity for women aspiring to enter governance.

As part of the reliefs sought, the senator is requesting a permanent court order restraining Nwaebonyi and any associates from further dissemination of the alleged defamatory remarks. She is also asking for a full retraction of the statements and an unreserved public apology to be published in at least two national newspapers—both print and digital—within seven days of the court’s decision.

Additionally, she is pursuing ₦5 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages to compensate for emotional distress, reputational damage, and public embarrassment. She is also requesting a 10% annual interest on the judgment amount from the day the verdict is delivered until it is fully paid.

As of the time of this publication, the court has not yet set a date for the commencement of the case.