Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has publicly declared her readiness to substantiate her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This declaration comes in response to a N200 billion defamation lawsuit filed against her by Akpabio. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receipt of the lawsuit on Friday, December 5, 2025, stating that Akpabio's legal action has paradoxically provided her with a long-awaited opportunity to prove her claims before a court of competent jurisdiction, an avenue previously denied by the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee.

In a statement, the Kogi Central Senator expressed her enthusiasm for the court proceedings, emphasizing that this platform would allow her to demonstrate how she was indeed sexually harassed. She further contends that her refusal to comply with the alleged advances subsequently triggered a series of sustained political attacks against her person. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who previously alleged sexual advances in Akpabio's office and residence in Akwa Ibom during a February interview, welcomed the legal challenge with a direct message, stating: "See you in court, Godswill Akpabio." She also noted that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had declined to hear her case, citing an existing defamatory case instituted by Akpabio's wife, thus precluding her from pursuing the matter in court independently due to Senate rules.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio initiated the defamation suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, filing it on August 25, 2025, under case number CV/3356/2025. In the suit, Akpabio demands N200 billion in general damages and an additional N500 million for litigation costs. He accuses Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of publishing malicious allegations that severely injured his reputation, subjected him to public ridicule, and portrayed him as a predator exploiting his position for personal gratification. The suit seeks extensive damages, public apologies in national newspapers, a formal retraction of all allegations, and the removal of all online materials containing the content.

Akpabio's legal team, led by S. I. Ameh (SAN), included a detailed Statement of Claim and a list of witnesses whose testimonies support the assertion that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's interviews, aired on television, radio, and circulated widely online, had caused significant damage, humiliation, and distress. Akpabio has consistently denied the allegations of sexual harassment. A court order issued on November 6, 2025, granted Akpabio permission to serve court processes on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through the Clerk of the National Assembly, following unsuccessful attempts at direct service.

With the parties now preparing for legal arguments, the case is set to commence on January 21, 2026, and is widely anticipated to be one of Nigeria's most closely observed political legal battles. It is worth noting that prior to these allegations, the two senators had engaged in a heated debate on the Senate floor concerning seating arrangements.