Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan slams N5bn lawsuit against Senator Nwaebonyi

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has slammed a N5 billion defamation suit against her colleague, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Central Senatorial District.

The suit, filed on April 7, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, stated that Nwaebonyi during a March 6, 2025, interview on Channels Television made false and malicious statements against Natasha.

Natasha added that Nwaebonyi referred to her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer” during the interview.

Additionally, Nwaebonyi allegedly stated that she is a “mother of six from different men,” which Natasha’s legal team describes as “baseless, malicious, and reckless”.

However, the suit filed seeks multiple declarations from the court, including:

– A declaration that the statements were false, malicious, and not protected under free speech.
– A perpetual injunction restraining Nwaebonyi from further publishing defamatory remarks.
– An order compelling Nwaebonyi to publicly retract the statements and issue an apology in at least two national newspapers.
– N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages.
– N100 million as cost of the suit.
– Post-judgment interest of 10% per annum until full payment.

Natasha’s legal team argued that Nwaebonyi’s statements have caused significant harm to her reputation and public image, particularly as a role model for women in politics.

The Kogi senator maintained that she is an inspiration to women, promoting truth and good governance, adding that Nwaebonyi must be brought to book for making false claims.