The Senate has expressed its support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio amid the defamation lawsuit filed against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Kogi Central Senator filed a defamation suit worth N100.3 billion following a confrontation between the two lawmakers over the relocation of her seat during a Senate plenary session.
In her suit, marked CV/737/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio and his Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, of making defamatory statements about her.
The statements were allegedly published on Facebook and included a post that suggested Akpoti-Uduaghan believed being a lawmaker was simply about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, argued that the statements were disparaging and damaged her reputation, both among her colleagues and the public.
The Kogi lawmaker is seeking a court declaration that these statements were defamatory and intends to cause public harm.
She is also asking the court for an injunction to prevent further defamatory comments and for a total of N100 billion in general damages, in addition to N300 million for litigation costs.
In response to the lawsuit, Senate spokesman Senator Yemi Adaramodu commented, “The parliament enjoys absolute privilege in the conduct of its affairs and what it does in proper legislative setting is not actionable.”
He added, “We are not aware of any suit for now, but let me state here that the parliament enjoys absolute privilege.”
The defamation suit stems from an altercation during a Senate plenary session, where Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the relocation of her seat.
The exchange escalated, with Akpabio ordering security to escort Akpoti-Uduaghan out of the chambers, though other lawmakers intervened to prevent the situation from worsening.
The court has yet to set a hearing date for the case.
