Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that his remarks publicly ridiculed her and damaged her reputation.
The lawsuit, submitted at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, also names Akpabio’s senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, as a defendant. Through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that a Facebook post made by Patrick, allegedly at Akpabio’s behest, contained defamatory statements that portrayed her as a lawmaker more concerned with makeup and transparent outfits than legislative work.
Describing the remarks as “provocative and disparaging,” Giwa argued that they had subjected the senator to public ridicule. Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the court to declare the statements defamatory and to issue an order preventing the defendants from making further damaging remarks about her.
She is seeking ₦100 billion in general damages and ₦300 million in litigation costs.
The lawsuit follows a recent dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio over a Senate seating reassignment, which resulted in her referral to the Senate Disciplinary Committee.
