Senate President’s Wife, Ekaette Akpabio, Sues Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for N250 Billion Over Defamation
Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has taken legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, filing multiple lawsuits at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.
She is seeking N250 billion in general damages and a public apology, alleging that Natasha‘s claims during a televised interview have tarnished her family’s reputation.
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The lawsuits—one for fundamental rights violation (Suit No: CV/814/25) and another for defamation (Suit No: CV/816/25)—stem from Natasha’s remarks on Arise TV’s Morning Show on February 28.
During the interview, the Kogi Central senator alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after rejecting unwanted advances from Senate President Akpabio, including an incident she claimed took place in December 2023 in Akwa Ibom. Mrs. Akpabio has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them “false and baseless,” and argues that they have caused severe emotional distress to her and her children.
In her fundamental rights suit, Mrs. Akpabio contends that Natasha’s statements have violated her dignity under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, leading to psychological distress. She is demanding N250 billion in damages. The defamation suit seeks an additional N1 billion in punitive damages, along with a formal retraction and an unconditional apology to be published in The Guardian and This Day newspapers. “The allegations have caused untold pain and brought my family into disrepute,” she stated in court filings.
The controversy traces back to a Senate chamber seating dispute last month, which led to a public spat between Natasha and Akpabio. Natasha’s subsequent remarks on Arise TV escalated tensions, prompting Mrs. Akpabio’s legal response. She defended her husband at a press conference on Friday, describing him as “a disciplined man who respects women” and vowed to restore their family’s reputation.
