Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has filed two defamation lawsuits against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Mrs Akpabio demanded N350 billion for damages to her husband’s reputation.
The lawsuits followed sexual harassment allegations made by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan against the senate president during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, February 28.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) detailed an incident from 8 December, 2023, when she and her husband visited Mr Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
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She alleged that during the visit, the Senate President held her hand, led her around his house, and then made inappropriate advances towards her, even in her husband’s presence, though she denied lying to her husband what Akpabio said.
She also claimed that Mr Akpabio once insinuated that she should “take care of him” if she wanted her motions to receive favourable consideration on the Senate floor.
In response, the senate president’s wife filed two separate defamation lawsuits at the Federal High Court, Abuja to defend the reputation of her husband.
In the suits marked CV/814/25 and CV/816/25, the wife of the Senate President demanded N250 billion and N100 billion in general damages, respectively.
Mrs Akpabio claimed the allegations against her husband had caused her and the children emotional and psychological abuse.
She also said since the allegations have been made public, her family has been living under constant fear and threat to their lives.
The senate president’s wife then asked the court to declare the allegations defamatory and violation of her husband’s fundamental rights.
She also prayed the court to restrain Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from making defamatory statements against the Akpabio’s family.
Mrs Akpabio urged the court to mandate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal written retraction and tender an unconditional apology to the senate president which should be published in two national newspapers.
She requested the court to award a total of N350 billion in damages against the Senator as compensation.
Stay away from the matter- Natasha warns Mrs Akpabio
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, has asked Ekaette, the wife of Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to allow her husband to defend himself.
On Friday, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Mr Akpabio made sexual advances toward her in the Senate chamber.
Mrs Akpabio has also filed fundamental rights and defamation suits against the Kogi senator, demanding N250 billion in damages.
But in a letter dated March 1, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was not interested in involving Mrs Ekaette in the “unfortunate saga” surrounding the allegations against her husband, Nigeria’s Senate President.
The Kogi senator, through her counsel, Victor Giwa, stated in the letter that her allegations were directed at the Senate President personally.
She further asserted that Mr Akpabio has the capacity to defend himself and refute any of the allegations against him.
“Our client is not desirous of calling you out into the unfortunate saga concerning her allegations against the Senate President and wishes that you restrain yourself from delving into the obscene circumstances.
“While she has tolerated all the harassment from the Senate President, she was constrained to reveal the unfortunate torture and victimization she has endured in the Red Chambers,” the letter read.
It added, “Consequently, we would like to state that the allegations of our client are personal to the Senate President, and our client believes the Senate President has the capacity to defend himself and refute any of these allegations against him.
“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We will suggest that you leave the defence of the allegations for the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.”
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defamation lawsuit seeks N100b compensation
Earlier, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a defamation lawsuit against the senate president and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick.
She is seeking N100 billion in damages and an additional N300 million in litigation costs over a Facebook post allegedly made by Mr Patrick.
The post followed a heated dispute between Mr Akpabio and Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan on the floor of the Senate over the relocation of her assigned seat in the chamber.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had also accused the Senate leadership of harassment and intimidation, claiming that she had been deliberately excluded from international events she was initially nominated for.
The senator believed these actions were parts of the efforts to suppress her voice in legislative discussions.
Senate’s disciplinary action
The Senate has since referred the earlier allegations to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for investigation.
The committee, chaired by Edo South Senator, Neda Emasuen, was given two weeks to submit its findings and recommendations.
There has been no official response from the senate president’s office regarding these recent allegations.
