Defamation Suit Against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Predates Social Media Claims – Says Akpabio’s Aide
A fresh controversy has erupted over a defamation case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her claim on social media that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, had “only just filed” a multi-billion-naira lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual misconduct.
However, a press statement issued at the weekend by Mr. Udom, Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media, described the senator’s claim as “incorrect and misleading,” stressing that the suit was filed over three months ago after what he termed “grave and unsubstantiated accusations” capable of causing severe reputational damage.
According to the statement, the allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan have never been supported by any form of evidence before the Senate Committee or any competent authority. It added that Senator Akpabio exercised his constitutional right to seek legal redress, and that the matter is already properly before the court.
“The facts are clear, verifiable, and already before the court. The suggestion that the case was just filed is false and intended to distort public understanding of the situation,” the statement read.
It further disclosed that the matter experienced initial delays due to routine administrative and judicial procedures. Upon the resumption of activities on the case file, the court’s bailiff reportedly made several unsuccessful attempts to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with the originating processes.
“These attempts failed because of her deliberate evasion of service, as sworn under oath in the bailiff’s affidavit,” the statement noted. “It was only after this that the court, in November, granted an application for substituted service.”
The senator’s recent social media comments were therefore described as part of a broader pattern of what the aide called “orchestrated narratives and staged outrage,” aimed at drawing public sympathy rather than submitting to due legal process.
The statement also referenced Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier six-month suspension from the Senate, describing it as a lawful disciplinary action that she attempted to delegitimise through online campaigns, but ultimately served in full.
“Legal disputes are resolved in the courtroom, not on social-media platforms. The law is guided by proof, procedure and due process, not sentiment or theatrics,” the statement added.
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Mr. Udom urged the senator to properly instruct her legal team, file her defence, and present the evidence she claims to have in a court of competent jurisdiction.
“This is her golden opportunity. The public, the media and the legal community now await her defence to the defamatory claims of the plaintiff,” the statement added.
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