By Crystal Ugoeze
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a ₦200 billion defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for falsely accusing him of sexual harassment.
The case was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja which also approve substituted service of court papers on the Kogi lawmaker.
Justice U. P. Kekemeke, ruling on Akpabio’s ex parte application in suit number FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, granted permission for the documents to be served through the Clerk of the National Assembly or any authorised staff member. The court held that the substituted method would be deemed valid service as the case proceeds.
Akpabio had asked the court for leave to serve the writ of summons, hearing notices and other processes via the National Assembly, rather than personally on Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Responding to the lawsuit, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the claim as baseless and politically motivated. She maintained that she had spoken within her rights as an elected representative, insisting that she would not be intimidated or silenced.
According to her, the suit represents an attempt to stifle democratic debate, adding that she is prepared to defend herself in court and prove her claims.
She said: “Today being the 5th day of December, 2025, I’m in receipt of the newly instituted 200 billion naira suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio claiming defamation on sexual harassment.
“Now, I am glad that Sen. Akpabio has brought this up because the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges failed to grant me audience in this issue relying on the fact that Godswill Akpabio’s wife had instituted a defamatory case against me. Therefore they couldn’t attend to a matter already in court.
‘Albeit, I couldn’t proceed to court because by senate rules, I must still present my case before the Ethics committee (same committee that recommended my illegal suspension).
“Alas, I now have a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give into his demands unleashed series of unprovoked and unprecedented attacks on my person.
“See you in court Godswill Akpabio.”