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Unoma Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has filed separate lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, over alleged defamation and violation of fundamental human rights.
The legal action follows recent claims by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, that her troubles in the Senate started following her refusal to have a sexual relationship with the Senate President.
In the first suit on fundamental rights violation (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs Akpabio accused the senator of making false and scandalous statements that caused emotional trauma for her and her children, leaving them in fear for their lives.
She asked the court to declare the statements a violation of her right to dignity under the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Akpabio is also seeking ₦250 billion in compensation and a perpetual injunction to stop Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further damaging claims.
In a separate defamation Suit No: CV/816/25, Mrs Akpabio challenged the senator’s claim that her husband made sexual advances towards her.
She described the allegations as false, malicious, and damaging, saying they had brought her family into disrepute and public shame.
As part of her demands, she asked the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a public apology in two national newspapers, The Guardian and ThisDay, and pay ₦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 yet to fix a date for the hearing of both suits.
The disagreement between both lawmakers began after Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seating position in the Senate chamber had changed without her knowledge.
She protested the action, causing a brief disruption during a plenary session.
The Senate later referred her case to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imaseun from Edo South, for investigation.
The committee was given two weeks to submit its report.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a ₦100 billion lawsuit against Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, for defamation.
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, said the alleged defamatory statement was published on Patrick’s Facebook page with the title, ‘Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?’
The post accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of thinking that being a senator was all about wearing makeup and transparent outfits to the chamber.
Describing the statement as provocative and damaging, Giwa said it had lowered his client’s reputation among her colleagues and the public.
On Friday, the controversy deepened when Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise Television’s Morning Show and accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her.
She claimed that some of her colleagues had warned her to accept the seat change because it was part of a plot against her.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s wife denied the allegations, describing them as false and baseless.
“My husband is a disciplined man who respects women,” she said.
Adetutu Sobowale
Adetutu has three years experience in publishing stories on
