The wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, has filed multiple lawsuits against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment leveled against her husband, Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Mrs. Akpabio instituted both fundamental rights and defamation lawsuits at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, seeking a total of N251 billion in damages.
The legal battle follows Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that Senate President Akpabio was victimizing her in the Senate because she refused his alleged sexual advances. She alleged that Akpabio made several inappropriate overtures toward her, even in the presence of her husband.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio dismissed the allegations, accusing the senator of fabricating claims for personal gain. She had earlier warned of legal action during a press conference before proceeding with the lawsuits.
Breakdown of the lawsuits:
Fundamental rights lawsuit (Suit No: CV/814/25)
Mrs. Akpabio argues that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations violate her fundamental rights, citing Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015. She seeks:
- A declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements made in the Senate and on Arise News TV violated her rights.
- An order of perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further “scandalous and inciteful” statements that allegedly caused her and her children emotional distress and fear for their safety.
- N250 billion in damages for the alleged infringement of her rights.
Defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25)
Mrs. Akpabio also filed a defamation suit, claiming that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations damaged her family’s reputation. She seeks:
- A court declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, made on national television without proof, have brought disrepute to her family.
- A public retraction and apology, published in The Guardian and ThisDay newspapers.
- N1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the alleged harm caused to her family’s reputation.
- A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements.
The lawsuits have sparked significant public debate, with political observers closely watching how the legal proceedings will unfold.