Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has initiated a legal battle against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged defamation. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, demands ₦100 billion in general damages and ₦300 million in litigation costs.
The case stems from a Facebook post allegedly authored by Mfon Patrick, a senior legislative aide to Akpabio, which Akpoti-Uduaghan claims contains defamatory remarks about her legislative abilities and personal appearance. This lawsuit follows a recent altercation in the Senate chamber, where Akpoti-Uduaghan was forcibly removed after protesting the unauthorized relocation of her seat.
Defamation Allegations and Legal Demands
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit, marked CV/737/25, specifically targets a social media post titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” The post reportedly mocked the senator’s understanding of legislative processes and criticized her appearance, stating that she believes being a lawmaker is about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”
Through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, the senator argues that the statements are false, provocative, and damaging to her reputation. She contends that the remarks have diminished her standing among her colleagues and the public. Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a court declaration that the statements are defamatory, a public retraction and apology in a national newspaper, and an injunction preventing further defamatory remarks from the defendants.
Tensions Escalate: Senate Seat Controversy
The defamation lawsuit comes on the heels of a heated confrontation in the Senate chamber over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat reassignment. Following a Senate reshuffle due to opposition members switching to the majority wing, her seat was relocated without her consent. She strongly resisted the change, leading to a public dispute with Akpabio.
During the altercation, Akpabio allegedly ordered Senate security to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from the chamber. However, other lawmakers intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further. The incident has since been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for investigation, with a report expected within two weeks.
Senate Spokesman Dismisses Lawsuit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan
Reacting to the lawsuit, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu dismissed its significance, stating that the Nigerian parliament enjoys “absolute privilege” in legislative matters. He argued that internal parliamentary affairs, including statements made within the legislative setting, are not subject to legal action.
“We are not aware of any suit for now, but let me state here that the parliament enjoys absolute privilege in the conduct of its affairs, and what it does in a proper legislative setting is not actionable,” Adaramodu told The opitanglobamedia. This statement suggests that the Senate leadership may not take the lawsuit seriously, raising questions about how far Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal challenge can go.
Public Reactions and Political Implications
The lawsuit has sparked widespread reactions, with political analysts viewing it as a test of accountability within the Nigerian Senate. Some observers believe that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal action highlights the persistent issues of gender bias and the treatment of female lawmakers in Nigeria’s male-dominated legislature.
Others argue that the lawsuit could set a precedent for holding top-ranking politicians accountable for their public statements. If successful, it may redefine the limits of parliamentary privilege in Nigeria and reinforce the need for decorum in legislative discourse. Meanwhile, supporters of Akpabio maintain that the lawsuit is a political distraction aimed at undermining his leadership in the Senate.
As the case progresses, it is expected to draw further national attention, with potential ramifications for the relationship between lawmakers and the legal limits of legislative immunity.
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