The Nigerian Senate has thrown its weight behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central filed a ₦100.3 billion defamation lawsuit against him.
The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, follows last week’s heated confrontation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio over the relocation of her seat in the Senate chambers.
Senate Spokesman Reacts
Speaking on the matter, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu dismissed the lawsuit, stating that:
“The parliament enjoys absolute privilege in the conduct of its affairs, and what it does in a proper legislative setting is not actionable.”
He further criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, warning that the Senate is not a place for “theatrics or entertainment content creation.”
Defamation Allegations
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Victor Giwa, claims that a Facebook post by Akpabio’s aide, Mfon Patrick, defamed her character.
The controversial post allegedly stated that she knew “nothing about legislative rules” and that she thought being a lawmaker was about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”
What She’s Demanding
The Kogi senator is seeking:
✅ ₦100bn in general damages
✅ ₦300m in litigation costs
✅ A public apology
✅ A perpetual injunction stopping further defamatory statements against her
Next Steps
The Federal Capital Territory High Court is yet to set a hearing date, while the Senate remains firmly on Akpabio’s side. Will this lawsuit shake up the Red Chamber? Or will it be dismissed as parliamentary privilege? Stay tuned. 🎭🔥
