Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a ₦1.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a controversy surrounding the reassignment of her Senate seat.
The dispute reportedly began when Akpoti-Uduaghan resisted the relocation of her seat in the Senate chamber, a decision made following a reshuffle caused by opposition lawmakers defecting to the majority side. Her opposition to the move led to a heated confrontation with the Senate President, escalating tensions within the upper legislative chamber.
On February 25, 2025, the senator formally lodged the lawsuit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, listing Akpabio, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Senate President’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as co-defendants.
While the details of the defamation claims remain undisclosed, legal analysts speculate that the case could test the limits of legislative authority and the protection of lawmakers’ reputations. The Senate leadership has yet to officially respond to the lawsuit, but sources suggest that internal efforts may be underway to resolve the dispute before it escalates further.
This legal action adds to the growing tensions within the National Assembly as lawmakers navigate political realignments and power struggles within the legislature
