The Nigerian Senate has thrown its support behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, files a ₦100.3 billion defamation lawsuit against him.
The lawsuit follows a heated altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio over the relocation of her seat in the Senate chambers. The dispute escalated to the point where security was called to remove the female senator, though fellow lawmakers intervened to prevent the situation from worsening.
Senate Defends Akpabio, Cites Legislative Privilege
Responding to the lawsuit, Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the case, stating that parliamentary proceedings are protected by absolute privilege.
“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. What it does in a proper legislative setting is not actionable. This is all we can say for now,” Adaramodu said in an interview.
The statement suggests that the Senate believes the lawsuit will not succeed since legislative activities are legally protected from external legal challenges.
Allegations of Defamation and Social Media Attacks
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit, filed on February 25, 2025, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, accuses Akpabio of defamatory remarks, particularly those published on Facebook by his Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick.
The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, contained statements suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was unqualified for legislative work, with claims that she believed being a senator was about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, argued that the remarks were provocative, offensive, and damaging to her reputation, lowering her status in the eyes of colleagues and the public.
What Akpoti-Uduaghan Wants from the Court
The lawsuit lists three defendants:
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio
- The Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Mfon Patrick, Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President
The Reliefs Sought
Akpoti-Uduaghan is demanding:
- A declaration that the statements made against her were defamatory and intended to damage her reputation.
- An order restraining the defendants and their associates from making further defamatory remarks about her.
- A perpetual injunction preventing the publication of similar statements against her on social media or other platforms.
- A ₦100 billion compensation for general damages.
- A ₦300 million reimbursement for litigation costs.
The court has yet to set a date for hearing the case.
A Growing Political Rift in the Senate
The lawsuit marks a new chapter in the ongoing tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio. The Senate President has faced criticism over his handling of internal disputes, with some seeing his response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s protest as heavy-handed.
On the other hand, Senate leadership insists that the legislative chamber is for serious work, not a stage for theatrics, as emphasized by Adaramodu in a Channels Television interview on February 21, 2025.
With the Senate backing Akpabio and legal experts debating the merits of the case, all eyes are now on the Federal Capital Territory High Court to determine whether Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defamation suit can proceed or whether legislative privilege will shield Akpabio and the Senate from liability.
