Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The suit, filed on Tuesday, lists Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, as the second and third defendants.
Through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan cited a Facebook post made by Akpabio’s aide titled *“Is local content committee of the Senate Natasha’s birthright?”* The post allegedly included a statement that she believed being a lawmaker was just about applying makeup and wearing transparent outfits to the Senate chambers.
Giwa argued that the statement was defamatory, provocative, and damaging to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, lowering her standing among her colleagues and the public.
She is seeking a court declaration that the words used in the post were defamatory and aimed at tarnishing her image. She also requested an order preventing the defendants or their associates from making further defamatory statements about her on any platform.
Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan is demanding ₦100 billion in general damages and ₦300 million for litigation costs.
Her lawsuit comes amid a recent dispute in the Senate over her seat reassignment. She resisted the change, leading to a confrontation with Akpabio.
The controversy resulted in her being referred to the Senate Disciplinary Committee for review.
