Tag: Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed his lawyers to withdraw all pending court cases against Senator Natasha and other individuals. Akpabio announced the decision during a New Year service at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He revealed that he had instituted nearly nine lawsuits against people he accused of defaming and slandering him. He said his stance changed after listening to the priest’s sermon at the service, which he described as a personal message to him. “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me and slandered my name. But as I listened to the priest, I suddenly realised he was speaking to me,” Akpabio said. The Senate President explained that the message led him to forgive those involved, prompting his decision to discontinue all legal actions. “Therefore, I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them,” he stated.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has escalated the legal dispute over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court. Court documents dated December 1, 2025, obtained on Sunday, confirm that Akpabio has filed the appeal following a Court of Appeal ruling that struck out the Federal Government’s brief in the case. The Abuja Division of the appellate court had deemed the brief incompetent, citing multiple violations of procedural rules, including incorrect font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failing to seek leave of court to depart from the rules. The Notice of Appeal itself was also found defective. The court held that these breaches were substantive, undermining the appeal’s validity. Although Akpabio publicly described the appellate court’s action as “illegal,” records indicate the decision was firmly grounded in law. Dissatisfied with the outcome, the Senate President has now asked the Supreme Court to overturn the judgment and allow him to refile the brief in compliance with procedural requirements. The move has drawn attention, with legal and political observers describing it as unusual for a Senate President to personally pursue a case. Sources in the National Assembly suggest Akpabio has been closely following the proceedings, raising concerns among sections of the legal community. The case is further complicated by a history of political tension between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan. The first-term senator is known for her outspoken criticism of Senate leadership, which insiders say has unsettled the Senate President. A National Assembly source noted: “This matter has clearly moved beyond the courtroom. It has become a political contest for relevance and dominance.” Within ruling party circles, some believe influential figures expect Akpabio to curb Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rising profile. In his Supreme Court appeal, Akpabio contends that the Court of Appeal violated his right to a fair hearing by refusing to grant leave to regularise the defective brief or exceed the page limit. He is seeking to nullify the November 28, 2025, proceedings and refile the brief properly. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers confirmed being served with the appeal, describing it as a desperate attempt to overturn a lawful decision. One counsel said: “Yes, we have been served. But this is just another needless misadventure that will lead to nowhere.” The senator was suspended for six months in March 2025 after protesting the relocation of her seat during plenary, accusing Akpabio of targeting her and calling him a “dictator.” Although the suspension ended in September, she could not immediately return due to ongoing legal challenges and resistance from Senate leadership. She later resumed office with officials of the Sergeant-at-Arms, insisting she had “no apology to tender.” With both sides now set to appear before the Supreme Court, the dispute has once again captured national attention, highlighting the intersection of law and politics in the ongoing conflict between the Senate leadership and the Kogi Central senator.

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.