Court Grants Substituted Service in Natasha Akpoti’s ₦5bn Defamation Suit Against Senator Nwaebonyi

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted an order allowing substituted service on Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi in a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit filed against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central.




Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh issued the order following an ex parte motion filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan through her legal counsel. The court agreed that personal service of court processes on Nwaebonyi had proven difficult, necessitating alternative means of service. The judge ruled that the court documents may be delivered either by publication in a national newspaper or served through the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly or directly to the Clerk of the Senate.


The lawsuit stems from statements made by Senator Nwaebonyi during a televised interview on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” programme on March 6, 2025. During the broadcast, Nwaebonyi allegedly made several derogatory and defamatory remarks about Akpoti-Uduaghan, branding her a “gold digger” and making insinuations about her personal relationships. The comments quickly sparked backlash and drew public attention due to the high-profile status of both lawmakers.


In her statement of claim, Akpoti-Uduaghan asserted that the remarks were not only false and malicious but were made with the intent to tarnish her reputation, both as a public servant and as a private individual. She stated that the accusations have caused her emotional distress, professional embarrassment, and damage to her character.


“I have devoted myself to public service and the development of my constituency,” the Kogi senator noted in her affidavit. “To be reduced to insulting and sexist remarks by a fellow senator on national television is not only unacceptable but defamatory and damaging to the image I have built over the years.”


She is seeking ₦5 billion in general damages for defamation, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining Senator Nwaebonyi from making further defamatory statements against her. In addition to the financial compensation, Akpoti-Uduaghan is requesting a public apology to be broadcast and published through the same media platforms where the alleged defamation occurred.


Legal analysts say this case may become a landmark in addressing defamatory speech among public officials in Nigeria, especially considering the growing prominence of women in politics and the need for respectful, issue-based discourse.


Senator Nwaebonyi has yet to issue a formal response to the lawsuit. However, with the court now granting substituted service, the legal proceedings are set to move forward regardless of his immediate availability or response.


The next hearing date is expected to be fixed following confirmation of the substituted service, as the court prepares to hear the full merits of the case.


This case has ignited broader discussions around defamation laws, freedom of speech, and the responsibilities of public office holders when engaging in media discourse. Supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan have praised her for standing up against what they see as entrenched political misogyny, while others await Nwaebonyi’s defense of the comments in court.


As the legal battle unfolds, political observers will be watching closely, noting that the outcome may influence not only reputational boundaries within the National Assembly but also the tone of political engagement in Nigeria at large.


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