Akpabio files ₦200bn defamation suit against Natasha over sexual harassment claims
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, over allegations that he sexually harassed her.
The suit was lodged at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.
Confirming the development, Akpoti-Uduaghan said in a Facebook post on Friday that the case will finally give her a “chance to prove how I was sexually harassed”.
The Kogi senator expressed satisfaction that Akpabio had opted for legal action, noting that she had previously been unable to formally present her case.
“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,” she wrote.
“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.”
In the post, she included a court order issued by Justice U.P. Kekemeke directing that she be served through substituted means via the clerk of the National Assembly. The order, dated November 6, states that the matter is scheduled to commence on January 21, 2026.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had first made the allegations in February during an interview on Arise TV, claiming Akpabio made sexual advances toward her in his office and at his residence in Akwa Ibom. She said her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected those advances.
Akpabio has consistently denied the claims.
The tensions between both lawmakers predate the allegations and include a heated confrontation earlier this year on the Senate floor over changes to seating arrangements.
