FCT High Courts Grant Leave to Serve Senate Leaders in Rights Violation, Defamation Cases Filed by Senator Natasha

Two separate High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have issued rulings in ongoing legal matters involving the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi. These developments are tied to cases brought forward by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

In one of the suits (FCT/HC/CV/754/2025), Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi granted Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan permission to serve court summons and related documents on Senate President Akpabio, both personally and in his official capacity. The court also ordered that the documents be delivered to Mfon Patrick, a senior legislative aide to Akpabio, and to the Clerk of the National Assembly. The case was adjourned to June 9 for a service report.

The motion was filed by U.J. Udoh, counsel to the senator, and supported by an affidavit deposed by Hamzat Mogaji of Victor Giwa & Associates.

In a separate matter, Justice A.O. Otaluka, presiding over suit FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, allowed substituted service of court documents on Senator Nwaebonyi. The motion, dated May 10, was supported by an affidavit and moved by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael J. Numa, who also leads Natasha’s legal team. The court adjourned proceedings in that case to June 25 for a service update.

Earlier, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a N5 billion defamation suit against Nwaebonyi following his public statements during a March 6 appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily. Her legal team claims the statements—regarding her personal and family life—were misleading and meant to harm her public image.

The senator’s counsel further alleged that the comments, including labels such as “gold digger” and other negative characterizations, were made with the intention to sway public opinion and to support her suspension from the Senate.

In addition, Senator Natasha is pursuing legal redress against Akpabio and his aide, seeking compensation for alleged character defamation and violation of her rights. Among her claims are requests for N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs.

She has also requested a perpetual injunction restraining further publication of materials she considers defamatory.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously rejected the Senate’s decision to suspend her, stating that her removal followed a dispute involving seating arrangements and other internal disagreements.