Two High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory have summoned Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Chief Whip Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi following serious allegations brought by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The cases involve accusations of defamation, sexual harassment, and violations of her fundamental human rights.
In Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi granted Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan permission to serve Senator Akpabio both personally and in his official capacity as Senate President.
The court also directed that summons be served on Akpabio’s senior legislative aide, Mr. Mfon Patrick, and the Clerk of the National Assembly.
This decision followed an ex parte motion filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, U.J. Udoh, supported by an affidavit from Hamzat Mogaji, litigation manager at Victor Giwa & Associates. The court scheduled June 9, 2025, to receive a report on the service of the summons.
In a separate case (Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1359/25), Justice A.O. Otaluka granted a motion for substituted service on Senator Nwaebonyi.
The application, backed by an eight-paragraph affidavit and presented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Michael J. Numa, was filed on May 10, 2025. The matter was adjourned to June 25, 2025, for further proceedings.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, has also filed a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Nwaebonyi.
The suit is based on statements he allegedly made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on March 6, 2025.
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