Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been directed by a Federal High Court in Abuja to respond to charges she defamed Senate President Godswill Akpabio through online publications and media interviews.
The case, filed by Akpabio’s lawyers, claims that Natasha made false and defamatory comments against the Senate President, stating that he interfered with political matters in Kogi State and bullied her character.
During the hearing of the case, Justice James Omotosho directed Natasha to, in writing, defend her remarks. According to the judge, the charges she has been accused of are grave and should be dealt with via proper legal response.
Akpabio’s lawyer, Umeh Kalu (SAN), argued that Natasha’s statements not only contained lies but were intended to ruin his client’s reputation and mislead the public. He argued that the law should run its course and public personalities should be held accountable for what they utter.
In her earlier statement, Akpabio had accused Senator Natasha of meddling in the 2023 Kogi Central election, which she had contested and won. She said so on social media and in most of her interviews, raising a global reaction on the political scene.
Akpabio has rejected them all and is demanding a public apology and compensation. The case is now to a level where Natasha can either retract her words or prove them in court.
Commentators say the case would make a landmark judgment on how defamation of high government officials is handled in Nigeria.
The next hearing date has been scheduled, and both sides are set to present their arguments.
