Unoma Godswill Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed lawsuits against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following sexual harassment allegations against her husband.
Mrs. Akpabio initiated fundamental rights and defamation suits at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, seeking N250 billion in general damages.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of victimizing her in the Senate after she allegedly rejected his advances. She claimed the Senate President made multiple sexual overtures toward her, even in her husband’s presence. However, Mrs. Akpabio dismissed the claims, calling them false and self-serving.
During a press conference, Mrs. Akpabio announced her intention to take legal action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), she argued that the senator’s allegations violated her rights under Nigerian law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. She is seeking:
- A court declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, both in the Senate and on Arise News TV, amount to a violation of her fundamental rights.
- A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further statements that allegedly cause emotional and psychological harm to Mrs. Akpabio and her children.
- N250 billion in damages for the alleged infringement of her rights.
In a separate defamation suit (Suit No: CV/816/25), Mrs. Akpabio contends that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements have harmed her family’s reputation. She is seeking:
- A court declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims against her husband were defamatory.
- A formal written retraction and an unconditional apology to be published in The Guardian and This Day newspapers.
- N1 billion in damages for the alleged harm caused by the statements.
- A perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory remarks.
The lawsuits come amid ongoing tensions between both politicians, with Akpoti-Uduaghan recently reaffirming her Senate seat victory at the Appeal Court.
