Two High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have separately summoned Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, over allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and violation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's fundamental rights.

Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in suit no: FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, granted leave to Natasha, who represents Kogi Central, to serve the writ of summons and other court processes on Akpabio both personally and in his official capacity as Senate President.

The judge also directed that Mfon Patrick, Senior Legislative Aide to Akpabio, and the Clerk of the National Assembly be served accordingly. Justice Kutigi fixed June 9 for the report of service after granting motion no. M/6603/2025.

Separate Court Actions

In a separate ruling, Justice A.O. Otaluka, handling suit no: FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, granted leave for Nwaebonyi to be served by substituted means. The ex parte motion, dated May 10, was supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit and a written address. The matter was adjourned to June 25 for the report of service.

Natasha had earlier filed a N5 billion defamation suit against Nwaebonyi over claims that she had six children with different men. The suit, filed by her legal team led by Michael J. Numa, SAN, described the statements as false and a deliberate attempt to damage the lawmaker's reputation.

Defamatory Allegations

According to court documents, Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Central, made the allegations during a live interview on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily program aired on March 6. He allegedly called the Kogi senator a "gold digger," an "habitual liar," and an "habitual blackmailer," and claimed that her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, married her under duress.

Natasha's counsel stated that these remarks were made to portray the senator as someone who extorts money through dishonest means. The senator further alleged that Nwaebonyi, a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, made the remarks to influence public opinion against her ongoing petition before the Senate.

Demands Against Akpabio

In her case against Akpabio, Natasha accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and claimed his aide defamed her character. She is seeking N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs from Akpabio's aide.

Among other reliefs, Natasha is asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining Nwaebonyi and his associates from publishing or causing the publication of defamatory content about her.

It should be recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for alleged gross misconduct following a seating arrangement altercation with Akpabio. However, the lawmaker has rejected the Senate's position that her suspension was not related to her sexual harassment claim against Akpabio.