ABUJA, Nigeria – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, accusing him of defamation over allegedly false and damaging statements made during media interviews in March 2025.
The lawsuit, filed by Senator Natasha’s legal team led by M.J. Numa, SAN, accuses Senator Nwaebonyi of making defamatory comments during interviews on prominent national television platforms, including Channels Television and Arise News.
The legal team is seeking declarations from the court that the statements made were malicious, false, and harmful to her public image.
One of the key accusations stems from an interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, March 6, 2025, where Senator Nwaebonyi allegedly referred to Senator Natasha as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.”
The legal documents argue that these remarks were “false and intended to tarnish her public image and reputation.”
The lawsuit also refers to another interview on Arise News TV, aired on Monday, March 3, 2025, where Senator Nwaebonyi allegedly made further defamatory claims, including stating that Senator Natasha was “a mother of six from different men.”
Her legal team asserts that such statements were made with the intent to damage her character, particularly as a female politician and public figure.
Additionally, the legal proceedings include videos published on YouTube, specifically a clip from News Central TV on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in which Senator Nwaebonyi allegedly stated that Senator Natasha’s marriage was a product of blackmail and that she had once demanded N10 billion from her husband.
The same video also reportedly contained accusations that Senator Natasha had falsely alleged sexual harassment against a former presidential aide.
“These defamatory statements have caused the Claimant considerable distress, reputational harm, embarrassment, and emotional distress,” the writ states.
In her lawsuit, Senator Natasha is seeking N5 billion in damages, arguing that the statements have severely damaged her reputation and public standing.
Additionally, she is demanding a public retraction and an apology in national newspapers and other media outlets within seven days of the court’s judgment.
Furthermore, the claimant is seeking an order of perpetual injunction to prevent Senator Nwaebonyi and his associates from making further defamatory comments.
At this stage, the court has not yet set a hearing date, and Senator Nwaebonyi is expected to respond within 21 days from the date the writ is served.
