The political landscape in Nigeria has been rocked by a legal battle involving Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The case, which stems from allegations of sexual harassment and political victimization, has escalated into a high-stakes courtroom showdown.
The Allegations and Countersuits
Unoma Akpabio has filed two lawsuits at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The first suit (Suit No: CV/814/25) alleges a violation of fundamental human rights, while the second suit (Suit No: CV/816/25) is a defamation claim. In both cases, Akpabio’s wife is seeking damages totaling ₦250 billion.
The legal action follows explosive claims by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, that her problems in the Senate began after she allegedly refused to have a sexual relationship with Senate President Akpabio.
She made these allegations publicly, further intensifying political tensions within the National Assembly.
Details of the Lawsuits
In her fundamental rights suit, Mrs. Akpabio contends that the senator’s statements have caused emotional distress and put her family’s safety at risk.
She argues that the remarks violate her constitutional right to dignity and contravene the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The defamation suit directly challenges Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims about her husband, describing them as false, malicious, and damaging to the family’s reputation.
As part of her demands, Mrs. Akpabio is requesting:
A public apology to be published in The Guardian and This Day newspapers.
A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further allegations. ₦1 billion in damages for the emotional distress and reputational harm suffered.
The Origin of the Dispute
Tensions between both lawmakers began when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her assigned seat in the Senate chamber had been changed without prior notice.
Protesting this move, she caused a brief disruption in the Senate, prompting an official inquiry.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun of Edo South, was assigned to investigate the matter and submit a report within two weeks.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Legal Response
In a counteraction, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick.
Her legal team, led by Victor Giwa, argues that a Facebook post by Patrick, titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?” was defamatory. The post allegedly belittled Akpoti-Uduaghan, suggesting that she viewed her role as a senator as merely an opportunity to wear makeup and transparent outfits to the chamber.
According to her lawyer, the statement has harmed her reputation both among her colleagues and in the public eye.
On Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan took the controversy further by appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where she reiterated her allegations against Akpabio, claiming that her Senate colleagues had warned her about the seat change being part of a larger plot against her.
Public and Political Reactions
The accusations and counter-lawsuits have sparked a heated debate within the political landscape.
Some analysts believe this battle could have far-reaching implications for Akpabio’s leadership in the Senate, while others see it as part of the broader political power struggle within the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, supporters of Akpoti-Uduaghan argue that her allegations should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. Women’s rights activists have also weighed in, calling for a transparent review of the harassment claims.
Conversely, allies of Akpabio and his wife insist that the allegations are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the Senate President’s reputation.
The FCT High Court has yet to schedule hearing dates for the lawsuits. Meanwhile, the Senate Ethics Committee is expected to release its findings on the seat reassignment issue, which could add another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.
As the legal and political tensions mount, this case is poised to become one of the most high-profile courtroom battles in recent Nigerian political history.
Observers and stakeholders across the country will be watching closely to see how it unfolds in both the judiciary and the Senate chambers
