Senate President Godswill Akpabio has instituted a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stemming from allegations of sexual harassment made by the Kogi Central senator earlier in the year. The legal action, filed before Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court under case number FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, seeks substantial damages and aims to address the harm Akpabio claims was inflicted upon his reputation and public image.

Responding to online reports suggesting the lawsuit was recently filed, Senator Akpabio, through his special assistant on media, Jackson Udom, clarified on Saturday that the suit was, in fact, initiated more than three months prior. He attributed any perceived delay in its progress to administrative and judicial processes. Udom further explained that the court's bailiff made multiple unsuccessful attempts to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with the originating processes, leading to an affidavit before the court alleging evasion of service. Consequently, an order for substituted service was granted in November, with documents subsequently routed through the clerk to the National Assembly.

Akpabio emphasized that legal disputes should be resolved within the court system, not through online commentary, accusing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of prioritizing social media reactions over formally responding to the suit. He also alluded to her past six-month suspension from the Senate, which he noted she completed despite initial public comments challenging it. The Senate President urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to instruct her lawyers, file her defense, and present any evidence she claims to possess before the court, assuring that the judicial process would proceed accordingly.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly disclosed her receipt of the lawsuit via a Facebook post, attaching copies of the court documents. She views this development as a crucial opportunity to present her account before a judicial body, especially given that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had previously declined to hear her petition regarding the alleged harassment. Expressing her readiness for trial, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated her intent to "prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give in to his demands triggered attacks on my person," challenging Akpabio to meet her in court.

In the suit, Akpabio is seeking N200 billion in damages for defamation, an additional N500 million to cover litigation costs, and demands for retractions and public apologies to be published in national newspapers. He contends that the allegations have severely damaged his reputation and subjected him to widespread public ridicule.

The genesis of the protracted dispute between the two lawmakers traces back to a plenary session on February 20, where a disagreement arose concerning the relocation of Akpoti-Uduaghan's seat. This incident led to the matter being referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for review.

Subsequently, on February 28, during an appearance on Arise Television, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated the conflict by publicly alleging that Akpabio had sexually harassed her. She claimed this occurred during a visit to his residence in Uyo on December 8, 2023. Furthermore, she alleged that Akpabio once suggested she should "take care of him" in exchange for favorable consideration of her motions on the Senate floor. These allegations garnered significant national and international attention, including from the International Parliamentary Union.

The controversy extended beyond Akpabio's direct legal action; his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, also filed a separate N350 billion lawsuit against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. In addition, on March 6, Akpoti-Uduaghan herself faced a six-month suspension from the Senate over alleged misconduct relating to the February 20 plenary session. Although her suspension concluded in September, she resumed her duties after resolving administrative issues, which included the reopening of her office by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

As of Akpabio's recent statement, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had not yet issued a formal response to his latest comments, leaving the ongoing legal and political dispute poised to advance through the judicial process.