By Jonah Israel
In a dramatic turn of events, Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has initiated multiple legal actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, over allegations of defamation. The lawsuits come on the heels of Akpoti-Uduaghan's explosive remarks during a recent interview on Arise TV, where she alleged that the Senate President had made unwanted sexual advances toward her at his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.
Ekaette Akpabio has vehemently rejected these allegations, describing them as "lies" and asserting that her husband is a disciplined individual. She has filed a fundamental rights suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, seeking redress for what she describes as "scandalous and salacious" comments. According to her, these accusations have caused her and her children "emotional and psychological abuse".
The court is being asked to issue a restraining order, preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further "spiteful" statements that infringe on Ekaette's fundamental human rights. Additionally, the suit demands the sum of N250 billion in exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages, as well as any other orders the court deems necessary.
Ekaette contends that Akpoti-Uduaghan's comments have severely damaged the reputation of herself and her family, bringing them into disrepute and causing harm to their public standing. She has also requested that the court order the senator to publicly apologize, with the apology to be published in two national newspapers.
As Ekaette Akpabio seeks justice, she also seeks N1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the harm caused by the defamatory statements, as well as a perpetual injunction barring Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any further defamatory remarks against her family's reputation.
"The Defendant's act of claiming on national television, that the Claimant's husband, who is the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made sexual advances at her, without any proof of same, has damaged the reputation of the Claimant and indeed her entire family," the suit reads.
"An order of this honourable court compelling the Defendant to pay to the Claimant the sum of ₦1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira only) as punitive and exemplary damages for the ruinous effect of the Defendant's defamatory words on the Claimant's family's reputation," the suit further demands.
As the legal battle unfolds, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has maintained his silence on the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Nigeria Daily Chronicles will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
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