Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has taken legal action against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following the senator’s allegations that Akpabio had sexually harassed her.
The lawsuits, which include fundamental rights and defamation claims, were filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. Mrs. Akpabio is seeking N250 billion in damages over what she describes as false and damaging statements.
The controversy erupted after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of victimizing her in the Senate because she rejected his alleged sexual advances. She claimed that Akpabio had made multiple inappropriate overtures toward her, even in the presence of her husband. However, Mrs. Akpabio dismissed these accusations, calling them baseless and an attempt by the senator to gain attention for personal gain.
At a press conference, Mrs. Akpabio warned that she would take legal action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, and shortly after, she filed two separate lawsuits. The fundamental rights case (Suit No: CV/814/25) is based on Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and provisions from the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
In the suit, Mrs. Akpabio is requesting the court to;
Declare that the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, both in the Senate on February 20, 2025, and on a News TV, violate her fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and human rights charters.
Issue a perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further “inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful” statements that she claims have caused emotional and psychological distress to her and her children.
Award N250 billion in damages as compensation for the alleged violation of her fundamental rights and the harm caused to her family.
In addition to the fundamental rights case, Mrs. Akpabio also filed a defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25). In this case, she argues that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public statements falsely accusing her husband of sexual harassment have damaged her reputation and that of her family. She is seeking the following from the court;
A declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims on national television about Akpabio’s alleged sexual advances were defamatory and have brought disrepute to her family.
An order requiring the senator to issue a formal written retraction and an unconditional public apology in two nationally circulated newspapers, The Guardian and This Day.
An order awarding her N1 billion in damages for the reputational harm caused by the accusations.
A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any further defamatory statements against her or her family.
These lawsuits have sparked significant discussion in political and legal circles, as the allegations and legal battle could have serious implications for both parties. While Akpoti-Uduaghan has yet to respond officially to the lawsuits, the case is expected to attract widespread public attention in the coming weeks.
