Nigeria’s President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip, have been summoned by two Federal Capital Territory High Courts over allegations of defamation, sexual harassment, and violation of the fundamental rights of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, before Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, the court granted leave to Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the writ of summons and all accompanying processes, including hearing notices, on Akpabio, both personally and in his capacity as Senate President.
The summons also includes a senior legislative aide to Akpabio, Mfon Patrick, and the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Justice Kutigi has scheduled June 9, 2025 for a report on the service of the summons.
The court’s decision followed an ex parte motion (No. M/6603/2025) moved by Mr. U.J. Udoh, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, which was supported by a six-paragraph affidavit sworn to by Hamzat Mogaji, a litigation manager at Victor Giwa & Associates.
In a related case, suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, Justice A.O. Otaluka granted leave for the substituted service of court documents on Nwaebonyi.
The decision was based on an ex parte motion, filed on May 10, 2025, which was supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit and argued by Mr. Michael J. Numa (SAN).
The case was adjourned to June 25, 2025, for further hearing.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently suspended from the Senate for six months, has filed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against Nwaebonyi over comments he made on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily programme on March 6, 2025.
Persecondnews had reported that in recent weeks, Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio have been embroiled in a heated political controversy.
The Kogi-born politician submitted a petition to the Senate, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
However, the Ethics Committee of the Senate rejected her petition on March 6 and imposed a six-month suspension without pay on her.
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