Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North Central over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live television interview.
Filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja through her lawyer, Michael Numa, the suit seeks redress for comments made by Nwaebonyi on Channels Television on March 6, 2025. During the interview, Nwaebonyi allegedly referred to Akpoti-Uduaghan as a “gold digger, habitual liar, and habitual blackmailer,” and claimed she is a mother of six children from different men.
Akpoti-Uduaghan described the statements as false, malicious, and damaging to her reputation, especially as a female political figure. She noted that the remarks were intended to ridicule and undermine her credibility and influence as a role model to women aspiring to enter politics.
In addition to the N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, the senator is seeking a court order compelling Nwaebonyi to retract his statements and issue a public apology via the same platform and in at least two national newspapers.
The suit also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining Nwaebonyi and his affiliates from making further defamatory remarks, and post-judgment interest of 10% per annum until full payment of the judgment sum.
Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized in the court filing that she is not damaging the image of women in politics, as claimed, but rather inspiring others by speaking truth to power.
