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In a Fight of Corrida de Toros: Akpabio’s Wife Sues Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for ₦350 Billion in Defamation Lawsuits

By Daniel Okonkwo

Rumor, gossip, slander—single drops of poison can pollute an entire system. The world will praise you one moment and defame you the next. So why should we care for praise or defamation?

Ekaette Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed multiple defamation lawsuits against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against her husband. The lawsuits, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seek a total of ₦350 billion in damages, citing emotional and psychological distress caused to her and their children.

The controversy erupted following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s remarks during a Friday interview on Arise TV, where she claimed that the Senate President made inappropriate advances toward her at both his office and residence in Akwa Ibom. She detailed an incident from December 8, 2023, when she and her husband visited Akpabio’s home in Uyo. According to her, the Senate President allegedly held her hand, led her around the house, and insinuated that she should “take care of him” if she wanted favorable consideration for her motions in the Senate.

In response, Ekaette Akpabio rejected the allegations, describing them as false and malicious. She accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to tarnish her husband's reputation, maintaining that the Senate President is a disciplined leader and dismissing the claims as baseless lies.

The lawsuits, marked Suit No: CV/814/25 and Suit No: CV/816/25, were filed under Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 4 & 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act), Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In Suit No: CV/814/25, Mrs. Akpabio is seeking ₦250 billion in general damages and a perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements against her husband.

In Suit No: CV/816/25, she is demanding ₦100 billion in damages, alleging that the senator’s statements subjected her family to public humiliation, emotional distress, and psychological trauma.

As part of her legal demands, Mrs. Akpabio has also asked the court to compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a public apology in The Guardian and ThisDay newspapers, retracting her claims.

The dispute between the two lawmakers is believed to have escalated following a change in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seating position in the Senate chamber, which she reportedly attributed to political maneuvering by Akpabio. The accusations, aired on national television, have ignited a political storm, with reactions pouring in from various quarters.

Additionally, Mrs. Akpabio alleged a breach of her fundamental rights, urging the court to restrain Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from making further defamatory statements against the Akpabio family.

Earlier, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had also filed a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick. She is seeking ₦100 billion in damages and an additional ₦300 million in litigation costs over a Facebook post allegedly made by Patrick.

So far, there has been no official response from the Senate President’s office regarding these recent allegations.

Defamation cases, particularly those involving high-profile figures, have often resulted in significant financial penalties. For instance, in the U.S., conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in damages for defamation after spreading falsehoods about the Sandy Hook school shooting, demonstrating the severe financial consequences of reputational damage.

The lawsuits filed by Ekaette Akpabio signal an intense legal battle ahead, with potential implications for both political and media discourse in Nigeria. As of now, the court has yet to schedule a hearing for both suits. Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has not issued an official response to the lawsuits.

With defamation cases becoming increasingly prevalent in Nigeria’s political space, this lawsuit could set a significant legal precedent regarding accountability in public statements and the financial consequences of reputational harm.

Daniel Okonkwo for Profile International Human Rights Advocate.

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