Nigeria: Senate backs Akpabio amid N100.3bn defamation suit

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

The Senate has thrown its weight behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following a N100.3bn defamation lawsuit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The lawsuit stems from a clash between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan over the relocation of her seat.

According to the suit, marked CV/737/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio made defamatory statements, which were published by his aide on Facebook. The statements suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan believed being a lawmaker was only about “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers”.

The Senate spokesman, Senator Adaramodu, stated that the parliament enjoys absolute privilege, implying that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit may not be actionable. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, argued that the statements were defamatory, provocative, and disparaging, and sought damages and an injunction to restrain further defamatory statements.