Senate President Akpabio seeks N200bn damages as he files defamation lawsuit against Natasha Akpoti over s3xual harassment allegations

In a Facebook post, Akpoti Uduaghan said she got notice of the case and called it a chance to show how she was sexually harassed.
She wrote, "Today, the 5th of December, 2025, I received the new 200 billion naira suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio, who claims I defamed him over sexual harassment."

She welcomed the lawsuit, saying the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges wouldn’t let her take legal action until she first brought the issue to them.

The committee had previously refused to meet with her, saying they couldn’t look into something already going to court because Akpabio's wife had sued her for defamation.

She also mentioned the same committee had recommended her suspension.

She said the case gives her a chance to prove she was sexually harassed and that refusing his advances led to a series of attacks on her.

She shared a court order from November 6, which said she should be served through the clerk of the National Assembly. The case is set to start on January 21, 2026.

Akpoti Uduaghan first made the allegations in a February interview on Arise TV.

She said Akpabio made sexual advances toward her in his office and at his home in Akwa Ibom, and that her issues in the Senate started after she refused his advances. Akpabio has denied these claims.

The two lawmakers had already had public clashes in the Senate over changes to seating arrangements, showing they had a tense relationship before the sexual misconduct accusations came up.