Senator Natasha Sues Senator Nwaebonyi for N5.1 Billion Defamation

Suspended Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial district of Kogi State, has sued Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi for defamation, claiming N5.1 billion.

The suit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, alleges that Senator Nwaebonyi made false and defamatory statements against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in a television interview.

Senator Nwaebonyi called Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan a “gold digger,” “habitual blackmailer,” and “habitual liar” during an interview on Channels TV Sunrise Daily program on March 6, 2025, the suit alleges. The suit also claims Senator Nwaebonyi made other statements to defame Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, including that she was a “mother of six from different men” and that her marriage was the result of blackmail.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also praying the court for the following reliefs:

A declaration that the words uttered by Senator Nwaebonyi are false, malicious, and defamatory
A declaration that the words have caused serious harm to her reputation and have caused considerable distress and embarrassment
An order of perpetual injunction restraining Senator Nwaebonyi from further publishing or causing to be published the defamatory words
An order compelling Senator Nwaebonyi to retract the defamatory statement and publish an unreserved apology in a minimum of two national dailies
An award of N5.1 billion as compensation for the defamatory and false statements

The lawsuit also seeks a declaration that complained-of words are not a lawful exercise by Senator Nwaebonyi of his right of freedom of speech and expression.