Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has stated that she is fully prepared to prove her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio in court. Her statement followed the formal service of a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Akpabio, which she confirmed receiving on Friday in Abuja. She said the court now provides the platform that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had previously denied her. “The court process gives me the chance I have long sought to establish the truth of my claims,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said, adding that she will show that her refusal to submit to Akpabio’s alleged advances led to prolonged and politically motivated attacks against her. “See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she declared. The lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, accuses the Kogi Central senator of making false statements that depicted him as a predator who abused his office for personal gratification. The suit seeks ₦200 billion in damages, nationwide public apologies, retractions, and the removal of all online materials containing the allegations. Court documents indicate that Akpabio claims millions of Nigerians were exposed to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s interviews on television, radio, and online, causing him reputational harm, humiliation, and emotional distress. The filings include a detailed Statement of Claim and a list of witnesses. After attempts to serve Akpoti-Uduaghan directly failed, a court order on November 6, 2025, allowed service through the Clerk of the National Assembly. With both parties now officially before the court, the case is expected to proceed and is emerging as one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political and legal disputes in recent times.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court with a N200 billion defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her public allegation that he sexually harassed her. The suit, filed alongside Motion No. M/12725/2025, demands massive financial compensation, nationwide public apologies, and the total removal of all digital content linked to the accusation. Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receipt of the court papers on Thursday. “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.” She said she welcomed the legal battle, pointing out that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had earlier declined to entertain her petition. “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.” Court documents reveal that Akpabio accused the Kogi Central lawmaker of repeatedly granting media interviews and making online and broadcast statements portraying him as a public office holder who exploited his position for sexual gratification. He argued that the allegations were widely circulated and consumed by millions, leading to severe embarrassment, emotional trauma and long-term reputational damage. Among the reliefs sought are total retractions across all platforms where the claims appeared, complete deletion of related online materials, repeated public apology broadcasts across major media outlets, and the full N200 billion in damages. Attempts to serve the senator directly were reportedly unsuccessful, prompting Akpabio to seek permission for substituted service through an ex parte application filed in December. Justice Kekemeke granted the request, authorising the service of court documents through the Clerk of the National Assembly or any staff within the Clerk’s office at the Three Arms Zone, Abuja. The court order partly reads: “AN ORDER of the Honourable Court granting leave to the Claimant/Applicant to serve the Originating Processes… by delivering same to the Clerk of the National Assembly, or any staff in the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly… AN ORDER …deeming the said mode of service of the processes on the Defendant as good and proper service.” Akpoti-Uduaghan also explained that Senate rules initially prevented her from heading to court over the allegation. “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).” She insisted the lawsuit now opens the door for her to formally prove her claims. “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.” She ended with: “See you in court Godswill Akpabio. Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan, Kogi Central.” The matter, listed as Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, is expected to move to full trial in the coming weeks and is already drawing intense national attention due to the political weight of both parties involved.