Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Slams N5.1 Billion Defamation Suit Against Senator Nwaebonyi
Suspended Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District in Kogi State, has filed a N5.1 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi.
The lawsuit, marked Suit No: CV/1359/25, was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division, through her legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael Jonathan Numa. In the filing, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that Senator Nwaebonyi made defamatory remarks against her during a live appearance on Channels Television's *Sunrise Daily* on March 6, 2025. According to her, Nwaebonyi falsely referred to her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.”
She contends that the statements were “false, malicious, defamatory, and actionable per se,” and that they have caused significant reputational damage and emotional distress.
The suspended senator further claims the defamatory remarks lowered her image before the public, leading to embarrassment and reputational harm.
Filed by Writ of Summons under Order 2 Rule 2 of the FCT High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025, the suit was officially submitted on April 7, 2025.
Among the reliefs sought, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the court to declare that the statements made by Nwaebonyi do not constitute a lawful exercise of freedom of speech. She is demanding multiple declarations, injunctions, and monetary compensation, including:
- A declaration that the statements made during the March 6, 2025, *Sunrise Daily* interview — describing her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer” — are false, malicious, and defamatory, having caused harm to her reputation.
- A declaration that additional remarks made during a March 3, 2025, interview on Arise News TV, in which Nwaebonyi allegedly said she was “a mother of six from different men,” are also defamatory, malicious, and injurious to her character and public image.
- A declaration concerning statements made in a YouTube video — [link](
https://youtu.be/fzo4O6zhMPM?si=Nhl9-2pVYIzU22) — where Nwaebonyi allegedly said: “This woman is spoiling game for women who want to enter politics. Are you the only woman in Nigeria, Senator Natasha!? What is wrong with you?”
- A further declaration regarding another video — [News Central TV report](
https://youtu.be/nXaok-O5ni8?si=guLUAR-IIFOQRh) — published on March 27, 2025, in which Nwaebonyi allegedly claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan blackmailed her current husband into marrying her under duress and accused her of falsely alleging sexual harassment against Reno Omokri during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
She claims these publications were “false, malicious, unjustified, injurious, scornful, distasteful, and unsavory,” exposing her to ridicule both nationally and internationally.
The senator is seeking:
- A perpetual injunction restraining Nwaebonyi and his affiliates from making further defamatory remarks.
- A court order compelling Nwaebonyi to retract his statements and publish an unreserved apology in at least two national newspapers and on all platforms where the defamatory remarks were made.
- N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages.
- Post-judgment interest on the awarded sum at 10% per annum until fully paid.
- An additional N100 million as the cost of legal action.
She is also asking the court to grant any further orders it deems appropriate.
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Slams N5.1 Billion Defamation Suit Against Senator Nwaebonyi
Suspended Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District in Kogi State, has filed a N5.1 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi.
The lawsuit, marked Suit No: CV/1359/25, was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division, through her legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael Jonathan Numa. In the filing, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that Senator Nwaebonyi made defamatory remarks against her during a live appearance on Channels Television's *Sunrise Daily* on March 6, 2025. According to her, Nwaebonyi falsely referred to her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.”
She contends that the statements were “false, malicious, defamatory, and actionable per se,” and that they have caused significant reputational damage and emotional distress.
The suspended senator further claims the defamatory remarks lowered her image before the public, leading to embarrassment and reputational harm.
Filed by Writ of Summons under Order 2 Rule 2 of the FCT High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025, the suit was officially submitted on April 7, 2025.
Among the reliefs sought, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the court to declare that the statements made by Nwaebonyi do not constitute a lawful exercise of freedom of speech. She is demanding multiple declarations, injunctions, and monetary compensation, including:
- A declaration that the statements made during the March 6, 2025, *Sunrise Daily* interview — describing her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer” — are false, malicious, and defamatory, having caused harm to her reputation.
- A declaration that additional remarks made during a March 3, 2025, interview on Arise News TV, in which Nwaebonyi allegedly said she was “a mother of six from different men,” are also defamatory, malicious, and injurious to her character and public image.
- A declaration concerning statements made in a YouTube video — [link](https://youtu.be/fzo4O6zhMPM?si=Nhl9-2pVYIzU22) — where Nwaebonyi allegedly said: “This woman is spoiling game for women who want to enter politics. Are you the only woman in Nigeria, Senator Natasha!? What is wrong with you?”
- A further declaration regarding another video — [News Central TV report](https://youtu.be/nXaok-O5ni8?si=guLUAR-IIFOQRh) — published on March 27, 2025, in which Nwaebonyi allegedly claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan blackmailed her current husband into marrying her under duress and accused her of falsely alleging sexual harassment against Reno Omokri during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
She claims these publications were “false, malicious, unjustified, injurious, scornful, distasteful, and unsavory,” exposing her to ridicule both nationally and internationally.
The senator is seeking:
- A perpetual injunction restraining Nwaebonyi and his affiliates from making further defamatory remarks.
- A court order compelling Nwaebonyi to retract his statements and publish an unreserved apology in at least two national newspapers and on all platforms where the defamatory remarks were made.
- N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages.
- Post-judgment interest on the awarded sum at 10% per annum until fully paid.
- An additional N100 million as the cost of legal action.
She is also asking the court to grant any further orders it deems appropriate.