A legal storm is brewing in Nigeria's political landscape as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a ₦5 billion lawsuit against her colleague, Senator Nwaebonyi, over alleged defamatory statements that have sparked outrage and drawn national attention.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court, details a series of accusations purportedly made by Senator Nwaebonyi against Senator Natasha, which she claims have caused severe damage to her reputation, career, and family life.
Among the defamatory remarks attributed to Senator Nwaebonyi include claims that Senator Natasha is “a mother of six from different men,” a “gold digger,” a “habitual liar,” and a “habitual blackmailer.” The statements, described by Natasha’s legal team as “malicious and reckless,” were allegedly made in public and circulated widely on both traditional and social media platforms.
In the court filings, Senator Nwaebonyi is also accused of asserting that Senator Natasha’s marriage was a product of blackmail. Furthermore, he allegedly claimed that she once demanded a staggering ₦10 billion from her husband. Perhaps most damaging, the suit highlights Senator Nwaebonyi’s accusation that Senator Natasha falsely alleged sexual harassment against a former presidential aide.
Describing the allegations as “an orchestrated campaign of character assassination,” Senator Natasha is demanding ₦5 billion in damages for the emotional distress, reputational harm, and public ridicule she has endured as a result.
Legal experts have begun weighing in on the potential implications of the case, with some suggesting it could become a landmark decision in the fight against defamation and misinformation in Nigeria’s political space.
Neither Senator Nwaebonyi nor his legal representatives have publicly responded to the suit as of the time of this report.
As proceedings unfold, Nigerians are watching closely, with many hoping the judiciary will set a clear precedent on the limits of political rhetoric and the protection of individual dignity in public discourse.
