A high-stakes legal battle is brewing as Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed a defamation suit against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking a staggering N250 billion in damages. Naija247news gathered that the lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, stems from alleged defamatory statements made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during a recent public event.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Naija247news, Mrs. Akpabio claims that the Kogi lawmaker made “false, malicious, and damaging” remarks about her character and reputation during a political gathering in Lokoja last month. The suit alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Mrs. Akpabio of involvement in corrupt practices and unethical conduct, allegations which the plaintiff vehemently denies. Naija247news understands that the comments were widely circulated on social media, causing what Mrs. Akpabio describes as “irreparable harm” to her public image.
In the court documents obtained by Naija247news, Mrs. Akpabio’s legal team argued that the statements were “deliberately calculated to tarnish her reputation and diminish her standing in the eyes of right-thinking members of society.” The plaintiff is seeking N250 billion in compensatory and exemplary damages, as well as a public retraction and apology from the defendant.
Naija247news reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her outspoken nature, has yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit. However, sources close to the lawmaker suggest that she stands by her comments and is prepared to vigorously defend herself in court. A political analyst who spoke to Naija247news on condition of anonymity described the case as “a clash of political titans,” noting that it could have far-reaching implications for both parties.
The lawsuit has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some have praised Mrs. Akpabio for taking legal action to defend her reputation, others have criticized the move as an attempt to silence political dissent. Naija247news gathered that social media platforms are already buzzing with debates, with hashtags like #AkpabioVsNatasha and #N250bnSuit trending.
Legal experts, however, caution that defamation cases of this magnitude are often complex and time-consuming. According to Naija247news, the court has set a preliminary hearing date for next month, where both parties are expected to present their arguments.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether this legal showdown will set a precedent for how public figures address allegations and defend their reputations in Nigeria’s increasingly polarized political landscape.
