Natasha sues Akpabio, aide N100.3b for alleged defamation as Senate considers punishment

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly defaming her.

The suit was filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, yesterday, with Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, listed as second to third defendants.

In the suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, referred to Akpabio’s words published by his aide on his Facebook page with the title, “Is local content committee of the Senate Natasha’s birthright?” where he stated that the claimant thought being a lawmaker is all about pan-caking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.

Giwa alleged that the statement was defamatory, provocative, and disparaging, and lowered his client’s dignity in the eyes of her colleagues and right-thinking members of the public.

He requested: “A declaration that the words ‘it is bottled anger by the Kogi Lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules. She thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers’ used and written by the 3rd defendant at the prompting of the 1st and 2nd defendants is defamatory and intended to cause public opprobrium and disaffection towards the claimant by members of the public.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the court to restrain the defendants or associates from publishing defamatory words against her on any platform.

She, however, urged the court to order the defendants to pay her N100 billion as damages and N300 million as litigation costs.

“An order for payment of the sum of N100,000,000,000 as general damages. An order for payment of the sum of N300,000,000.00 only as cost of action,” she said.

EQUALLY, the Senate has resolved to refer Akpoti-Uduaghan to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over alleged disorderly conduct during a plenary session following a recent dispute over a seating arrangement dispute.

Chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, the committee has been mandated to turn in its findings in two weeks.

The resolution followed a voice vote yesterday after lawmakers revisited the controversy surrounding the recent altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership over seat allocation, with legislators stressing the protection of parliamentary rules and decorum.

A heated confrontation unfolded during last Thursday’s plenary session when Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) protested the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, leading to tense moments in the chamber.

Her live interview the following day, where she revealed her ordeal in the Senate, and alleged political targeting, was also used against her.

Coming under Orders 1(b) and 10, the Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, had condemned what he described as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence” during the chamber’s session on February 20.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim also supported the motion, emphasising the importance of maintaining order and decorum in the Senate. He urged all senators to respect the institution’s guiding rules, comparing the Standing Orders to the Bible and Quran for lawmakers.

Supporting Adaramodu, the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the disciplinary review, reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to its rules and internal order.

He dismissed claims that the dispute was rooted in gender bias or discrimination, citing examples of senior senators who had accepted seat changes without protest.

Senator Abba Moro, supporting the motion, described the incident as an “avoidable drama” and apologised on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He implored the Senate to focus on its legislative responsibilities while allowing the Ethics Committee to handle the matter.

In his response, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, directed the committee to review the entire incident and report back to the chamber.

He recalled that the Senate rules allow members to sit anywhere, but contributions must be made from their designated seats. He suggested that unfamiliarity with Senate procedures may have contributed to the altercation.