By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a summons for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to appear in court on June 9, 2025, in connection with a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit filed against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The development follows Akpabio’s failure to appear at a previous hearing on May 7. In response, Senator Natasha’s legal representatives requested permission for substituted service.
Justice Idris Kutigi approved the request, allowing the court documents to be served through the Clerk of the National Assembly. The court has since confirmed that Akpabio has been properly served.
The case, listed as FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, revolves around comments allegedly made by Akpabio which Senator Natasha claims have severely damaged her reputation and public standing. She is seeking ₦100 billion in damages, as well as ₦300 million in legal expenses.
Additionally, she is asking the court to bar Akpabio and others from making or repeating the disputed statements.
In a related legal matter, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, has also been summoned in a separate defamation and harassment case filed by Senator Natasha.
That suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/1359/25 and presided over by Justice A.O. Otaluka, includes allegations of defamation, rights violations, and sexual harassment. Substituted service was also granted in this case.
According to court filings, Senator Natasha accuses Nwaebonyi of making damaging claims during a television interview, including statements about her personal life and marriage, which she says are false and intended to discredit her.
She further alleges that Nwaebonyi misused his role on the Senate Committee on Ethics to negatively influence the outcome of a petition involving her.
Senator Natasha also accuses Akpabio of sexual harassment and states that comments made by his aide contributed further to the alleged reputational harm.
The hearing involving Senate President Akpabio is set for June 9, while the case against Senator Nwaebonyi has been scheduled for June 25.
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