Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against her fellow lawmaker, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, over a series of derogatory remarks she claims have severely damaged her public image and political standing.
The suit, lodged at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, is being led by prominent legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), M.J. Numa. In the suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan seeks redress for what she describes as “false, malicious and injurious” statements made by Senator Nwaebonyi during a nationally televised interview.
According to the court filings, Nwaebonyi—who represents the Ebonyi North Senatorial District and currently serves as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate—allegedly made these remarks on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme aired on March 6, 2025. During the interview, he described Akpoti-Uduaghan using terms such as “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.” He also reportedly claimed she had “six children for different men” and insinuated that her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, married her “under duress.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan strongly denies all the allegations, stating that the claims were completely unfounded and were made with the deliberate intention to malign her character and mislead the public. She emphasized that these statements were not only false but widely broadcast and shared across various social and online platforms, causing significant damage to her reputation nationwide.
In her legal submission, she argued that the defamatory statements were meant to portray her in a negative and degrading light, suggesting she was a manipulative woman who forms relationships for financial gain, blackmails individuals, lies consistently, and coerces people by threatening to expose damaging information. She insists that such portrayals are not only false but were made with the intent to discredit her, especially in the context of her suspension from the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan further stated that Senator Nwaebonyi’s comments were aimed at undermining her credibility and swaying public opinion against her, particularly as she currently has a pending petition before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions—of which Nwaebonyi is a sitting member.
Through her lawsuit, she is seeking several forms of relief including a court-ordered retraction of the defamatory statements and a public apology, which must be published in at least two national newspapers—both in print and online—within seven days from the date of judgment. She also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant and his associates from making or circulating similar statements in the future.
Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan is demanding the sum of N5 billion as aggravated and exemplary damages to compensate for the reputational harm, emotional distress, embarrassment, and public humiliation she has endured as a result of the statements. She is also requesting post-judgment interest on the awarded sum at a rate of 10% per annum until the full judgment amount is paid.
In her closing remarks within the lawsuit, she described herself as a beacon of inspiration for women aspiring to enter politics and noted that she has always been a voice for justice and good governance. She rejected claims that she is tarnishing the image of women in politics, asserting instead that she is empowering them through her actions and resilience.
As of the time of filing this report, the court has yet to announce a hearing date for the case.