Akpoti-Uduaghan Vows to Prove Sexual Harassment Allegations as Akpabio Files ₦200bn Defamation Suit
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan says she is ready to prove her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio after he filed a ₦200bn defamation suit. Here’s the latest on the escalating political and legal showdown.”
According to a Vanguard Newspapers report published on Saturday, December 6, 2025, the political tension within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber deepened as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan declared her readiness to substantiate allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Famous Reporters reports, referencing the Vanguard publication, that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statement comes in reaction to a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Akpabio at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, who confirmed receiving the court documents, described the lawsuit as “an opportunity for truth to prevail,” insisting that she is prepared to present evidence she claims the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges previously prevented her from submitting.
The dispute traces back to a Senate plenary session during which Akpabio allegedly made comments Akpoti-Uduaghan interpreted as sexually suggestive, prompting her to file a formal petition.
In a public statement, the senator expressed unwavering determination to “prove the harassment occurred and highlight the consequences” she claims followed her refusal to yield to the alleged advances. She further alleged that her stance has subjected her to ongoing political reprisals, framing the legal battle as a critical moment for “judicial scrutiny and institutional accountability.”
Akpabio, however, has firmly rejected the allegations. He has described them as “baseless, false, and defamatory,” asserting they were crafted to malign his reputation and undermine his leadership.
His defamation suit accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of granting interviews across television, radio, and digital platforms in which she allegedly portrayed him as “a sexual predator who abuses his office.” According to the Senate President, these statements have inflicted severe reputational damage, exposed him to public ridicule, and caused emotional distress among millions of Nigerians who follow national politics.
The suit seeks:
₦200 billion in damages
A court-ordered retraction of the statements
The removal of all related online publications
Mandatory public apologies broadcast consecutively across major TV and radio stations
The filing includes a detailed Statement of Claim and a list of witnesses expected to support Akpabio’s position.
A court order dated November 6, 2025, authorised the service of the lawsuit through the Clerk of the National Assembly after initial attempts to deliver the documents to Akpoti-Uduaghan personally were unsuccessful.
As proceedings commence, the case is expected to become one of the most closely watched legal battles in Nigeria’s political history—one that could spotlight sensitive issues surrounding power dynamics, gender equity, institutional accountability, and the protection of lawmakers within the National Assembly. Analysts anticipate intense public engagement given the high-profile stature of both political figures.
