Published June 5, 2025
By Obaro Becky
Two Federal Capital Territory High Courts have separately summoned Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, over allegations of defamation, sexual harassment, and violation of the fundamental rights of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/754/2025 before Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, the court granted leave to Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the writ of summons and all accompanying processes—including hearing notices—on Senator Akpabio, both personally and in his capacity as Senate President.
Also included in the summons are a senior legislative aide to Akpabio, Mr. Mfon Patrick, and the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Justice Kutigi fixed June 9, 2025, for a report on the service of the summons.
The court’s decision followed an ex parte motion (No. M/6603/2025) moved by U.J. Udoh, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, supported by a six-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Hamzat Mogaji, litigation manager at Victor Giwa & Associates.
In a related matter, suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, Justice A.O. Otaluka also granted leave for substituted service of court documents on Senator Nwaebonyi.
The decision was based on an ex parte motion filed on May 10, 2025, supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit and argued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael J. Numa.
The matter was adjourned to June 25, 2025, for further hearing.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, has filed a ₦5b defamation lawsuit against Senator Nwaebonyi.
She is challenging statements he made during a live appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on March 6, 2025.
