News

Rights Violation: Court Summons Akpabio, Nwaebonyi over Natasha’s Suit

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJune 5, 2025

Two High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory have summoned Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Chief Whip Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi over separate allegations of defamation, sexual harassment, and violation of the rights of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In case number FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi granted leave to Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve court summons and related documents on Akpabio, both personally and in his capacity as Senate President.

Also named in the suit are Akpabio’s senior legislative aide, Mr Mfon Patrick, and the Clerk of the National Assembly.

The court acted on an ex parte motion (No. M/6603/2025) presented by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, U.J. Udoh, and supported by an affidavit sworn by Hamzat Mogaji of Victor Giwa & Associates.

Justice Kutigi fixed June 9, 2025, for a report on the service of the court papers.

In a separate matter, Justice A.O. Otaluka, in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, granted approval for substituted service of court documents on Nwaebonyi.

This decision followed an ex parte motion filed on May 10, 2025, by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael J. Numa, and supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit.

The case was adjourned to June 25, 2025, for further hearing.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently under a six-month Senate suspension, has slammed Nwaebonyi with a ₦5 billion defamation suit over remarks he made during a Channels Television appearance on Sunrise Daily on March 6, 2025.6, 2025.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.