Akpabio files new N200bn defamation lawsuit against Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has fired back at Senate President Godswill Akpabio after he filed a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment.

Responding on Friday, the Kogi lawmaker said the lawsuit has now created the opportunity for her to present the evidence she claims the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges declined to review.

Akpabio’s lawsuit, marked Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and conveyed to Akpoti-Uduaghan on December 5.

The case is before Justice U. P. Kekemeke, and proceedings are expected to continue on January 21, 2026.

In her statement released on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receiving the notice of the lawsuit and said she is fully prepared for the legal confrontation.

She explained that the Senate President is accusing her of defamation after she went public with claims that he sexually harassed her.

According to her, the court action—brought through an ex parte motion—now provides a stage that she has repeatedly been denied at the Senate.

She maintained that the Ethics and Privileges Committee refused to hear her petition, insisting that the existence of another legal matter filed by Akpabio’s wife prevented them from taking up the issue.

Quoting her exact words, she said:

“Today being the 5th day of December, 2025, I’m in receipt of the newly instituted 200 billion naira suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio claiming defamation on sexual harassment.

“Now, I am glad that Sen. Akpabio has brought this up because the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges failed to grant me audience in this issue relying on the fact that Godswill Akpabio’s wife had instituted a defamatory case against me. Therefore they couldn’t attend to a matter already in court,” she wrote.

Senator Natasha further stated that Senate procedures prevented her from initiating court action earlier.

She said that by internal rules, she was obligated to first take her complaint to the same Ethics Committee that had earlier recommended her suspension—a decision she has described as illegal.

Her statement continued:

“Albeit, I couldn’t proceed to court because by senate rules, I must still present my case before the Ethics committee (same committee that recommended my illegal suspension).

“Alas, I now have a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give into his demands unleashed series of unprovoked and unprecedented attacks on my person. See you in court Godswill Akpabio,” she added.

Court filings indicate that Akpabio sought permission to serve court papers on the senator through substituted means, specifically by delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly. Justice Kekemeke approved the request, granting the claimant leave to deliver all originating and subsequent processes—including hearing notices—to any staff member within the Clerk’s office.

The ex parte request, which was accompanied by Motion No. M/12725/2025, outlines Akpabio’s argument that Natasha’s claims have damaged his personal and political reputation.

Part of the application reads:

“AN ORDER of the Honourable Court granting leave to the Claimant/Applicant to serve the Originating Processes, i.e. Writ of Summons and all other subsequent processes including Hearing Notices in this Suit, (Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025) on the Defendant by substituted means to wit, by delivering same to the Clerk of the National Assembly, or any staff in the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

“AN ORDER of the Honourable Court deeming the said mode of service of the processes on the Defendant as good and proper service. AND for such further or other Order(s) as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”

With both parties now preparing for a major legal showdown, the controversy has continued to stir debate within political circles, especially as it involves two high-profile figures in the National Assembly.