Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against fellow senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, accusing him of spreading false and harmful statements about her character and personal life. The suspended Senator, who represents Kogi Central, is seeking N5 billion in damages for defamation.
In a suit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Nwaebonyi made several false and damaging statements during a live interview aired on March 6, 2025, on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” programme. She was represented in court by her lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. M. J. Numa.
During the interview, Nwaebonyi allegedly described Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.” He also reportedly claimed she had six children by different men and that her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, was forced into marrying her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan told the court that these remarks were made with malicious intent and were widely shared across television, online, and social media platforms. She noted that the statements caused serious harm to her public image and personal dignity, and brought her into public ridicule.
“The claimant further contends that these statements in their natural and ordinary meaning, are meant and were understood to portray the claimant: as someone who constantly extorts people for money through dishonest and unscrupulous means as a career,” the legal filing reads.
The Senator added that Nwaebonyi’s comments made it seem like she was untrustworthy and used blackmail as a tool to gain personal advantages. She argued that the statements were entirely false and were made to damage her reputation, especially in light of her suspension from the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also said the timing and platform of the statements were intentional, pointing out that Nwaebonyi is a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. She believes his remarks were part of a strategy to harm her credibility while her petition was pending before the Senate.
In her suit, marked CV/1259/25, she is asking the court for a permanent order to stop Nwaebonyi and anyone working with him from repeating or spreading the defamatory statements. She is also requesting that the defendant publicly withdraw his statements and apologize through national newspapers in both print and digital formats within seven days of the court’s final decision.
Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan wants the court to award her N5 billion as compensation for the damage to her name and the emotional pain she has suffered. She is also seeking post-judgment interest on the awarded amount at a rate of 10% annually until the full amount is paid.
She noted that the false portrayal of her personal life, especially the claim of having six children with different men, was reckless and completely untrue. “The claimant is an inspiration to women in politics and aspiring women for speaking truth to power,” the document added.
