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Breaking News: Senator Natasha Slams N5bn Lawsuit on Deputy Senate Whip Nwebonyi Over Defamation
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has filed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, following what she described as “malicious and baseless” statements made against her during a national television interview.
The lawsuit, marked Suit No: W/1359:25, was instituted at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on April 7, 2025. Represented by a team led by respected legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Michael Jonathan Numa, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking both redress and public vindication.
The legal action stems from Nwebonyi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on March 6, where he described the senator as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.” He allegedly further claimed she is the mother of six children from different men and suggested she forced her current husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, into marriage under duress.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has firmly refuted all allegations, calling them not only false but also defamatory and damaging to her personal, professional, and political reputation.
“I have four children from two previous marriages,” she clarified, “and my marriage to Chief Uduaghan is rooted in mutual respect and love—free of coercion or manipulation.”
According to her legal filing, the senator is demanding the following reliefs:
A court declaration that Nwebonyi’s statements are defamatory and actionable.
A perpetual injunction preventing further defamatory remarks.
A public retraction and apology, to be published on the same platforms where the claims were aired, as well as in two national newspapers.
N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages.
Post-judgment interest at 10% per annum until the full payment of damages.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that Nwebonyi’s statements were a calculated attempt to assassinate her character, incite public ridicule, and diminish her credibility in political and public life.
“This is not just criticism,” the senator said. “It is character assassination designed to undo years of hard work, service, and advocacy.”
As the case heads to court, political observers are watching closely, with many interpreting the development as a serious test of accountability in political discourse and media responsibility.