By Charles Maduka
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has dragged her colleague, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North Central, to court over what she calls damaging and false statements made about her.
In a suit filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja through her lawyer, Michael Numa, Natasha is demanding N5 billion in damages. She claims the statements made by Nwaebonyi during an interview on Channels Television on March 6, 2025, were false, malicious, and intended to harm her image.
According to the court document, Nwaebonyi allegedly called her a “gold digger, habitual liar, and habitual blackmailer,” and went on to claim she has six children from different men.
Natasha is asking the court to declare these comments defamatory. She says the remarks have seriously affected her reputation, especially as a female politician who inspires other women to take part in leadership.
“The defendant’s characterisation of the claimant as a ‘mother of six from different men’ is baseless, malicious, and reckless,” the suit states. “The claimant is an inspiration to women in politics and aspiring women for speaking truth to power.”
She is also requesting a court order to stop Nwaebonyi from making further damaging remarks about her and to compel him to retract the statements on the same platform where he made them, as well as publish an apology in at least two national newspapers.
Additionally, she is asking for an order of perpetual injunction preventing the defendant, his associates, or anyone connected to him from repeating or publishing such statements in the future.
Natasha wants the N5 billion to cover aggravated and exemplary damages, emotional distress, and harm to her public image. She also asked the court to order post-judgment interest of 10 percent per year until the full amount is paid.
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