Two separate Federal Capital Territory High Courts have issued summonses to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, following lawsuits filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The cases involve allegations of defamation, sexual harassment, and violation of her fundamental rights.
In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi granted Akpoti-Uduaghan permission to serve court documents—including the writ of summons and hearing notices—on Senator Akpabio in both his personal capacity and official role as Senate President.
Also named in the suit are Akpabio’s senior legislative aide, Mr. Mfon Patrick, and the Clerk of the National Assembly. Justice Kutigi set June 9, 2025, for a report on the service of these documents. The ruling followed an ex parte motion (No. M/6603/2025) filed by U.J. Udoh, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and backed by a six-paragraph affidavit from Hamzat Mogaji, litigation manager at Victor Giwa & Associates.
In a related case, suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1359/25, Justice A.O. Otaluka also approved substituted service of court documents on Senator Nwaebonyi. The decision was made after an ex parte motion filed on May 10, 2025, was argued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael J. Numa, and supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit. The case has been adjourned to June 25, 2025, for further proceedings.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, has also filed a ₦5 billion defamation suit against Nwaebonyi over remarks he made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on March 6, 2025.
