Newsie Events :
Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken legal action against her colleague, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, demanding N5 billion in damages over defamatory comments made during a national television interview.
The lawsuit, filed at the FCT High Court in Maitama, accuses Senator Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North and also serves as Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, of spreading false and damaging claims about her personal life.
In particular, Nwaebonyi alleged during a March 6 appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily that Akpoti-Uduaghan had six children with different men, and labeled her a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “blackmailer.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria M.J. Numa, called the accusations baseless and malicious, claiming they were made to deliberately tarnish her reputation and discredit her in the eyes of the public.
She believes the statements were also aimed at undermining her petition before the Senate and justifying her suspension.
She told the court the defamatory remarks were not only aired on live TV but also widely circulated across social media and online platforms, amplifying the damage to her reputation.
According to her suit, the comments were crafted to portray her as manipulative, dishonest, and untrustworthy.
She further argued that Nwaebonyi falsely claimed her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, married her under duress, adding yet another layer of personal attack.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a court order to permanently stop the senator and his associates from repeating or spreading the defamatory statements.
She’s also asking the court to compel him to issue a public retraction and apology, published in at least two major national newspapers in both print and digital formats.
Additionally, she is requesting N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages for the harm done to her reputation, as well as 10% interest per year on the judgment sum from the date of the verdict until full payment is made.
In her statement, she emphasized that the allegations were not just hurtful but a calculated attempt to paint her in a bad light.
She reaffirmed her commitment to inspiring women in politics, stating that she stands as a role model for those who dare to challenge the status quo and advocate for good governance.
As of now, the court has not yet set a date for the hearing.
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