FCT Courts Summon Senate President Akpabio, Senator Nwaebonyi Over Defamation and Rights Violation Claims
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Two separate High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have issued summons to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, over serious allegations brought by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The cases involve claims of defamation, sexual harassment, and violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental human rights.
In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/754/2025 before Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, the court granted Akpoti-Uduaghan permission to serve writs of summons and all associated court documents—including hearing notices—on Senator Akpabio both personally and in his official capacity as Senate President. Also named in the suit are Mr. Mfon Patrick, a senior legislative aide to Akpabio, and the Clerk of the National Assembly.
The court issued the order following an ex parte motion (No. M/6603/2025) filed by U.J. Udoh, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan. The motion was supported by a six-paragraph affidavit sworn by Hamzat Mogaji, a litigation manager at Victor Giwa & Associates. Justice Kutigi scheduled a report on the service of the summons for June 9, 2025.
In a separate but related matter—suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1359/25—Justice A.O. Otaluka granted leave for substituted service of court papers on Senator Nwaebonyi. The application, filed on May 10, 2025, was supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit and presented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael J. Numa. The case has been adjourned to June 25, 2025, for further proceedings.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently under a six-month suspension from the Senate, has also filed a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit against Nwaebonyi. The suit stems from comments the deputy chief whip made during a live appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on March 6, 2025.
Both legal actions mark a deepening rift within the Senate, as Akpoti-Uduaghan challenges what she describes as targeted attacks on her integrity and personal rights.
