Two High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have separately summoned the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, over alleged sexual harassment, defamation and breach of fundamental rights of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In suit marked No FCT/HC/CV/754/2025 filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided by Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, leave was granted to Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the writ of summons, statement of claim and all other subsequent court processes, including hearing notices on the suit to the person of Akpabio and in his capacity as the Senate President.

Also to be served is Mr Mfon Patrick, the Senior legislative aide to the Senate President and the clerk of the National Assembly accordingly. Justice Kutigi, who considered the motion NO: M/6603/2025 fixed June 9, 2025, for report of service of the summons.

Also, in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, considered by Justice A.O. Otaluka of the Federal High Court Abuja, leave was granted to Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the writ of summons, accompanying processes and any other court processes by substituted means on Nwaebonyi.

The decision by Justice Otaluka followed the consideration of the motion ex parte, dated May 10, 2025, brought pursuant to Order 9 Rule 1(1) of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Civil Procedure Rules (2025).

In an application supported with an eight-paragraph affidavit, a written address, which was argued by Michael J. Numa (SAN), lawyer to Akpoti-Uduaghan. The case was thereby adjourned to June 25, 2025.

Recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, suspended senator representing Kogi Central, had filed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against Nwaebonyi over claims that she bore six children for different men.

In the suit filed by her legal team, led by M. J. Numa (SAN), Akpoti-Uduaghan described Nwaebonyi’s allegation as false and a calculated attempt to damage her reputation.

She informed the court that Senator Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Central Senatorial District, had severely damaged her reputation, caused her significant emotional distress and subjected her to public embarrassment and harm to her credibility.