The Senate has expressed its support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a defamation lawsuit filed by Kogi Central Senator, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The suit, amounting to N100.3 billion, arises from a recent confrontation between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding the relocation of her seat.
In her suit, marked CV/737/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that defamatory statements were made by Akpabio and subsequently published by his aide on social media. The Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, stated that the parliament enjoys absolute privilege in its legislative conduct, suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit would ultimately be unsuccessful.
The dispute escalated during a recent Senate session when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested her seat’s relocation. In the ensuing verbal exchange, Akpabio called for her removal from the chambers, a move that was averted by other senators.
In her legal action, Akpoti-Uduaghan seeks a declaration that the statements made were defamatory and an order to prevent further publications of similar content. She demands N100 billion in general damages and N300 million for litigation costs.
