Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North Central over alleged defamatory statements made during a televised interview.
The suit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja by her legal counsel, Michael Numa, seeks redress over remarks made by Nwaebonyi during an appearance on Channels Television on March 6, 2025.
According to court documents, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that Nwaebonyi described her as a “gold digger, habitual liar, and habitual blackmailer,” and falsely claimed she is a mother of six children from different men. She contends that the statements were false, malicious, and intended to damage her reputation.
The senator argued that the remarks were made recklessly and have caused her significant public embarrassment and reputational harm, particularly in her role as a prominent female politician and advocate for women in governance.
“The defendant’s characterisation of the claimant as a ‘mother of six from different men’ is baseless, malicious, and reckless,” the suit states.
She further asserted that rather than tarnishing the image of women in politics, as allegedly suggested by Nwaebonyi, she continues to inspire and empower women to pursue political leadership and speak truth to power.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the court to award N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged defamatory remarks. She also seeks a restraining order preventing Senator Nwaebonyi from making further similar statements against her.
In addition, she is requesting that the court compel Nwaebonyi to issue a public retraction and unreserved apology on the same television platform where the statements were made.
