Nigeria's political landscape was shaken on Friday, 5 December 2025, as a monumental legal battle commenced between two of its most prominent senators. The Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, filed a defamation lawsuit seeking a staggering ₦200 billion in damages against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Core of the Legal Clash: Allegations and Accusations
According to court documents submitted at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akpabio's suit is a direct response to televised and online interviews granted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. His legal team contends that her statements constituted a deliberate smear campaign, accusing him of sexual harassment. These allegations, disseminated across major media outlets and virally amplified on social media, are said to have caused the Senate President "national humiliation, ridicule, and grave reputational injury."
Akpabio's demands from the court are extensive and include:
- The award of massive financial compensation.
- A court order for the permanent deletion of all online publications containing the accusations.
- Compulsory apologies to be broadcast repeatedly on national television, radio, and key digital platforms.
Court records reveal that after initial attempts to serve the court papers to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan directly were unsuccessful, a judge granted permission for substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly on 6 November 2025, formally setting the legal process in motion.
Senator Natasha's Defiant Response and Counter-Narrative
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receiving the lawsuit on Friday and declared her readiness to engage in the legal fight. In her response, she provided critical context, stating that she had previously attempted to present a petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges but was blocked. She maintained that the Senate leadership prevented the hearing, citing that a related matter was already before a court, a move she claims effectively shielded Akpabio from internal Senate scrutiny.
With the matter now squarely in the judicial arena, the senator stated she finally has the platform she was denied. "I'm ready to prove everything," she asserted in a blunt statement. She insisted she would demonstrate that she was sexually harassed and that her refusal to comply led to "sustained political intimidation and retaliation." Her closing message to the Senate President was clear and confrontational: "See you in court, Godswill Akpabio."
Broader Implications for Nigerian Politics and Justice
This explosive case is now headed for full litigation, with both legal teams assembling witness lists, documents, and media records. Beyond the personal feud and the staggering ₦200 billion claim, the trial is poised to become a landmark case. It is expected to critically examine how Nigeria's political system handles allegations of sexual misconduct involving individuals at the highest echelons of public office. The outcome could set a significant precedent for accountability and the treatment of accusers within powerful institutions.
All eyes are now fixed on the FCT High Court as this high-stakes legal confrontation begins to unfold, promising a dramatic chapter in the nation's political and judicial history.
