Senate President Godswill Akpabio has initiated a lawsuit against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over a viral satirical post she made on social media. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 7, is registered as case number CS/384/25.
Akpabio is demanding that Akpoti-Uduaghan delete the post from all her social media platforms and issue a formal written apology published in at least two national newspapers, accompanied by an affidavit of compliance.
The controversial post, published on April 27 via the senator’s verified Facebook page, featured a sarcastic “apology” in which she mocked Akpabio’s leadership style—suggesting that success in the Senate under him required sycophancy rather than competence. The post quickly went viral, generating mixed reactions from the public.
Akpabio’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kehinde Ogunwumiju, argues that the post contravened a court order issued on April 4 prohibiting public commentary on the ongoing sexual harassment case between the two lawmakers.
The legal tensions between both parties began in February following a heated disagreement over seating arrangements in the Senate. The confrontation led to Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension in March, which came shortly after she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a ₦100 billion lawsuit against Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick, alleging defamation and seeking an additional ₦300 million in litigation costs.
Furthermore, the Senate President’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has filed two separate lawsuits against the suspended senator, demanding a total of ₦350 billion in damages for alleged reputational harm.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is also challenging her suspension in court. The matter, along with several others tied to the feud, remains pending in the judicial system.
