Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the trailblazing senator from Kogi Central, has launched a staggering N5.1 billion lawsuit against fellow lawmaker, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi. The suit follows explosive remarks made by Nwaebonyi on live television, where he described Natasha as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer” during a Channels TV appearance on March 6, 2025.
Natasha contends that these statements were not only malicious and baseless but were deliberately orchestrated to tarnish her rising political profile and destroy her credibility. Legal documents filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja argue that the defamatory comments led to personal anguish, reputational damage, and widespread public ridicule, thereby justifying her claim for billions in compensation.
Senator Natasha ’s Fight for Dignity: A History of Bold Stances
Natasha has never shied away from controversy. As the first woman elected to represent Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate, her tenure has been marked by fearless advocacy, particularly on issues affecting women and vulnerable groups. Her fiery speeches and anti-corruption stance have earned her both praise and powerful enemies.
Senator Natasha’s recent six-month suspension from the Senate, following her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, intensified the political drama. While critics questioned her timing, supporters hailed her as a champion of truth and transparency. Her legal battle with Nwaebonyi is now seen as an extension of her larger struggle to cleanse Nigeria’s male-dominated political sphere of toxic power dynamics.
Senator Natasha vs Nwaebonyi: Battlelines Drawn in Court and Parliament
Natasha claims that Nwaebonyi’s televised remarks were designed to assassinate her character and discredit her ongoing anti-corruption campaigns. In her affidavit, she emphasized that the words “gold digger” and “blackmailer” were calculated to mislead the public and portray her as morally bankrupt—a dangerous label for any female politician in Nigeria’s patriarchal society.
Nwaebonyi, a first-term senator from Ebonyi North, is known for his infrastructural strides and grassroots mobilization. However, the defamation case has thrown a spotlight on the growing factionalism in the Senate, with insiders alleging that the attack may have been politically motivated. Some senators reportedly viewed Natasha’s bold accusations against Akpabio as a breach of Senate unity, setting the stage for coordinated retaliation.
Natasha Alleges Coordinated Political Witch Hunt
Natasha believes the defamation is not an isolated incident but part of a wider plot to silence her voice. According to sources close to the senator, she has faced a barrage of coordinated attacks—ranging from media smears to behind-the-scenes threats—since raising sexual misconduct allegations against the Senate President.
Natasha’s legal team has hinted at introducing digital evidence, including private messages and testimonies, to prove that Nwaebonyi’s statements were influenced by powerful Senate figures. The aim, they say, was to delegitimize her claims against Akpabio and render her politically impotent ahead of future electoral cycles. Legal experts warn this case could set a precedent for how defamation and sexual harassment claims are treated in Nigerian politics.
Senator Natasha’s Legal Gambit: Strategy or Symbolism?
Senator Natasha’s lawsuit isn’t just about the N5.1 billion—analysts argue it’s also a strategic move to reframe the public narrative. By legally challenging defamatory rhetoric, she is asserting control over her identity and positioning herself as a defender of truth in Nigeria’s toxic political landscape. Her legal counsel includes renowned human rights attorneys who have signaled their readiness to escalate the matter to international human rights courts, if necessary.
Public sentiment remains divided. While many Nigerians see her as a victim of entrenched misogyny and systemic silencing, others accuse her of playing the victim card. Regardless, the lawsuit has reignited national debates about sexism in politics, freedom of expression, and the legal responsibilities of public officials when addressing colleagues in the media.
Natasha’s Legacy Heroine or Political Opportunist?
Natasha‘s meteoric rise—from a legal practitioner to a senator and now a headline-making plaintiff—has cemented her place in Nigeria’s political history. Whether the courts rule in her favor or not, her actions are compelling younger generations to question the power structures that dominate national discourse.
As the court prepares to hear the case, Natasha’s political legacy hangs in the balance. Is she the fearless reformer Nigeria needs, or a polarizing figure navigating dangerous waters for personal gain? Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has ignited a conversation that Nigeria can no longer ignore.
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