Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding ₦251 billion in damages over alleged defamation and violation of her fundamental human rights.
The lawsuits, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, stem from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President during a televised interview on Arise News TV. The Kogi senator claimed that her conflict with Akpabio began when she rejected his alleged advances.
Mrs. Akpabio argues that the accusations have caused severe emotional and psychological distress to her and her children.
In her fundamental rights lawsuit, she seeks:
- A court declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements violated her rights.
- An order restraining the senator from making further damaging remarks.
- ₦250 billion in damages for emotional and psychological suffering.
In a separate defamation suit, she argues that the allegations have severely damaged her family’s reputation and is demanding:
- A formal retraction of the statements.
- An unconditional public apology in The Guardian and This Day newspapers.
- ₦1 billion in punitive damages.
- A court order preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements.
This countersuit follows an earlier legal action by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Akpabio, in which she sought ₦100.3 billion in damages over the alleged unauthorized change of her Senate seat.
