Two high courts of the federal capital territory (FCT) have
separately summoned Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Onyekachi Nwaebonyi,
deputy chief whip of the senate, over allegations of sexual harassment,
defamation and the violation of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental rights.
In suit no: FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, Abubakar Idris Kutigi, a
judge of the federal high court in Abuja, granted leave to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the
senator representing Kogi central, to serve the writ of summons and other court
processes on Akpabio in person and in his official capacity as senate
president.
Kutigi also ordered that Mfon Patrick, senior legislative
aide to Akpabio, and the clerk of the national assembly be served accordingly.
The judge fixed June 9 for the report of service after
granting motion no. M/6603/2025.
The motion was moved by U.J. Udoh, counsel to
Akpoti-Uduaghan, and supported by a six-paragraph affidavit deposed to by
Hamzat Mogaji, litigation manager at Victor Giwa & Associates.
In a separate suit, no: FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, A.O. Otaluka,
another judge of the same court, granted leave for Nwaebonyi to be served by
substituted means.
The ex parte motion dated May 10 was supported by an
eight-paragraph affidavit and a written address.
It was moved by Michael J. Numa, a senior advocate of Nigeria
(SAN), and counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Otaluka adjourned the matter to June 25 for the report of
service.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier filed a N5 billion defamation
suit against Nwaebonyi over a claim that she had six children with different
men.
The suit, filed by her legal team led by Numa, described the
statements as false and a deliberate attempt to damage the lawmaker’s
reputation.
Numa told the court that Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi
north central, made the allegations during a live interview on Sunrise Daily, a
Channels Television programme aired on March 6.
The lawyer said the lawmaker called the Kogi senator a “gold
digger”, an “habitual liar”, and an “habitual blackmailer” and alleged that her
husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, married her under duress.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel stated that the remarks were made
to depict the senator as someone who extorts money through dishonest means.
Through her lawyer, Akpoti-Uduaghan further said Nwaebonyi
was fully aware that the statements were false and made them to discredit her
and justify her illegal suspension by the senate.
She also said the lawmaker, a member of the senate committee
on ethics and public petitions, made the remarks to influence public opinion
against her ongoing petition before the senate.
Among other reliefs, she is asking the court for a perpetual
injunction restraining Nwaebonyi and his associates from publishing or causing
the publication of defamatory content about her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment
and said his aide defamed her character.
She is seeking N100 billion in general damages and N300
million in litigation costs from Akpabio’s aide.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the senate for alleged
gross misconduct following her seating arrangement altercation with Akpabio.
However, the lawmaker rejected the senate’s position that
she was not suspended over her sexual harassment claim against Akpabio.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com