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.
