Unoma Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, alleging defamation and violation of her fundamental human rights.
The legal action stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent claims, in which she alleged that her issues in the Senate began after she rejected sexual advances from the Senate President.
In the first lawsuit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs. Akpabio accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of making false and scandalous statements that caused emotional trauma for her and her children, leaving them fearing for their safety.
She seeks a court declaration that the statements violated her dignity under both the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Additionally, she is demanding ₦250 billion in damages and an injunction preventing further defamatory remarks from Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a separate defamation case (Suit No: CV/816/25), Mrs. Akpabio challenges Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that her husband made sexual advances towards her.
She denounces the allegations as false and damaging, stating that they have brought her family public shame and disgrace. She is requesting a public apology in two national newspapers, The Guardian and ThisDay, along with ₦1 billion in damages.
“The allegations have caused untold pain and emotional trauma to me and my family,” Mrs. Akpabio said in the suit.
The court has not yet scheduled dates for the hearings of either case.
The dispute between the two lawmakers began when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seating position in the Senate had been changed without her consent, leading to a brief disruption during a plenary session.
The Senate referred the matter to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for investigation.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed her own ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio and his senior aide, Mfon Patrick, claiming that defamatory statements were published on Patrick’s Facebook page.
The controversy intensified when Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise Television’s Morning Show and accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her. She also claimed that some colleagues had warned her to accept the seating change as part of a conspiracy against her.
Mrs. Akpabio, however, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them false and unfounded. “My husband is a disciplined man who respects women,” she stated.
The legal battle continues to unfold, with both sides presenting conflicting claims in an ongoing and heated dispute.
