The dispute between Senator Natasha Akpati-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswell Akpabio has escalated, moving from the floor of the Senate to the court with Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette, filing multiple defamation lawsuits against Akpati-Uduaghan.
The lawsuits, filed on Friday, claim that Akpati-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio are defamatory and have caused damage to the Akpabio family’s reputation.
Ekaette’s suits, which include a fundamental rights suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, aim to address what she describes as “scandalous and salacious” comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The suits were triggered by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations on Arise TV, where she accused Akpabio of making unwanted sexual advances toward her at his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.
In a swift rebuttal to these claims, Ekaette firmly rejected the allegations, asserting that her husband is a “disciplined individual, and described accusations as “lies.”
She claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations have inflicted “emotional and psychological abuse” on her and her children, asking the court to issue a restraining order, preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further “spiteful” statements that infringe on her fundamental human rights.
The suit also demands the sum of N250 billion in exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages, in addition to any other orders the court deems necessary.
Ekaette contends that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments have severely damaged the reputation of herself and her family, bringing them into disrepute and causing harm to their public standing.
Furthermore, Ekaette has requested that the court order the senator to publicly apologize, with the apology to be published in two national newspapers.
In addition, she is seeking another N1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the harm caused by the defamatory statements.
So far, Akpabio has not commented publicly on the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Meanwhile, the embattled senator on Friday, February 25, has filed a N100.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio at a Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming that Akpabio tarnished her image with a defamatory Facebook post.
The post in question, titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate NATASHA’s BIRTHRIGHT?”, was published by Akpabio’s aide.
She claimed that the social media post misquoted her, suggesting she believed being a lawmaker meant wearing heavy makeup and transparent clothing to the Senate Chambers.
The suit marked CV/737/25 lists Akpabio and Mr. Mfon Patrick, Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President as defendants.
The lawmaker asked the court to order the defendants to pay her N100 billion in general damages, in addition to N300 million to cover the costs of litigation.
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