Courts order Natasha’s litigation papers served on Akpabio “in person”, feedback on June 9
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Two Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Courts in Abuja have given orders on the service of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged sexual harassment litigation papers on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and on Deputy Senate Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi over his alleged defamation of the Kogi Central Senator.
Judge Abubakar Kutigi, in suit number FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, granted leave to Natasha to serve the writ of summons and other court processes on Akpabio “in person” and “in his official capacity as Senate President”.
Kutigi also directed that Mfon Patrick, legislative aide to Akpabio, and the Clerk of the National Assembly (CAN) be served.
The Judge fixed June 9 for the report of service after granting motion number M/6603/2025.
The motion, moved by Natasha’s counsel U.J. Udoh and supported by a six-paragraph affidavit, was deposed to by Hamzat Mogaji, litigation manager at Victor Giwa & Associates.
Another Judge, A.O. Otaluka, in a separate suit number FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, granted leave for Nwaebonyi to be served by substituted means.
Natasha’s counsel Michael J. Numa SAN, moved the ex-parte motion dated May 10 and supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit and a written address.
The Judge adjourned the case until June 25 for the report of service.
Natasha filed a N5 billion against Nwaebonyi over alleged defamation and violation of her fundamental rights after Nwaebonyi, in his defence of Akpabio on national television, made several alleged disparaging statements about Natasha, including that she has six children with different men.
The suit, filed by Natasha’s legal team led by Numa, described the statements as false and a deliberate attempt to damage her reputation.
Numa told the court that Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Central Senatorial District, made the allegations on a live interview on Channels Television on its Sunrise Daily programme aired on March 6.
Numa alleged that:
- Nwaebonyi on the programme called Natasha a “gold digger”, a “habitual liar” and “habitual blackmailer” and claimed that her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, married her under duress, to portray Natasha as someone who extorts money through dishonest means.
- Nwaebonyi was fully aware that the statements were false and made them to discredit Natasha and justify her illegal suspension by the Senate.
- Nwaebonyi, a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, made the remarks to influence public opinion against Natasha over her alleged sexual harassment petition against Akpabio that was before the Senate.
Natasha, among other reliefs, is:
- Asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining Nwaebonyi and his associates from publishing or causing the publication of defamatory content about her.
- Seeking N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs from Akpabio’s aide, Patrick, whom she alleged defamed her character in a Facebook post.
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