The Nigerian Senate has thrown its full support behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a N100.3 billion defamation lawsuit filed against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The legal battle stems from a heated confrontation between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan last week during plenary, where the female lawmaker protested the relocation of her Senate seat.
The argument escalated to the point where Akpabio called for security to remove her from the chambers, though fellow senators intervened to prevent further chaos.
In her suit, marked CV/737/25 and filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on February 25, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making defamatory remarks against her.
Also listed as defendants in the case are the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick.
Through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan cited a Facebook post allegedly authored by Patrick under Akpabio’s directive.
The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, contained statements suggesting that she viewed lawmaking as merely “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”
Giwa described the statement as defamatory and damaging to his client’s reputation, arguing that it had lowered her dignity in the eyes of colleagues and the public. The lawsuit seeks a court declaration that the statements were defamatory, as well as an injunction preventing further such remarks from being published.
The senator is demanding N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs. However, the Senate’s spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the parliament enjoys “absolute privilege” in the conduct of its affairs.
“We are not aware of any suit for now, but let me state that what the Senate does in a proper legislative setting is not actionable,” Adaramodu said in an interview.
He further criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s approach, emphasizing that the Senate is “not for theatrics or content creation in entertainment.”
The lawsuit has intensified political tensions within the Senate, with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters arguing that she is being unfairly targeted, while Akpabio’s camp maintains that legislative protocols must be respected.
The court has yet to set a date for the hearing, but the case is expected to generate significant public and political interest as it unfolds.