Honourable Justice Idris Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to appear before it on Monday, June 9, 2025, in a ₦100 billion defamation suit filed against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The order followed a motion filed by Counsel to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Barrister Victor Giwa, seeking leave of the Court to serve Senator Akpabio through substituted means after Akpabio failed to appear in Court in respect of the matter on May 7, 2025.
In the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of allegations of defamation, which she said has severely damaged her reputation, prompting her to seek substantial damages from the Senate President.
In granting the application for substituted service, Justice Kutigi directed that the Court processes be served on Senator Akpabio through the Clerk of the National Assembly, effectively ensuring that the Senate President is duly notified of the proceedings.
As confirmed by legal sources close to the case, Senator Akpabio has now been served in accordance with the Court’s directive.
This development marks a significant turn in what is shaping up to be a high-profile legal battle between two prominent members of the National Assembly, drawing national attention to issues of legislative accountability, defamation, and the legal boundaries of political expression.
The Kogi Central Senator is pursuing the suit with determination, insisting that the statements allegedly made by the Senate President against her were “false, malicious, and intended to damage her integrity.”
The court is expected to proceed with the matter on June 9, with legal observers closely watching how the Senate President responds to the allegations and whether the case sets a precedent for the legal limits of political commentary and defamation within Nigeria’s legislative framework.
