Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment she made against him.

The case was instituted at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed on Facebook that she had received notice of the suit, saying it finally gives her “a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed.”

“Today being the 5th day of December 2025, I’m in receipt of the newly instituted ₦200 billion suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio claiming defamation on sexual harassment,” she wrote.

She welcomed the legal action, noting that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had previously declined to hear her complaint, citing an existing court matter filed by Akpabio’s wife. According to her, Senate rules barred her from initiating her own lawsuit until she had first presented the issue before the Ethics Committee—the same panel that recommended her controversial suspension.

“Alas, I now have a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give in to his demands unleashed a series of unprovoked and unprecedented attacks on my person,” she added.

She also shared a court order dated November 6, issued by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, directing that she be served by substituted means through the Clerk of the National Assembly. Hearing is scheduled to begin on January 21, 2026.

Akpoti-Uduaghan first made the allegations in a February interview on Arise TV, claiming Akpabio made advances toward her both in his office and at his residence in Akwa Ibom, alleging that her troubles in the Senate intensified after she rejected him. Akpabio has consistently denied the allegations.

The two lawmakers have a history of public clashes, including a heated dispute on the Senate floor over changes to the seating arrangement—an early sign of the frosty relationship that has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle.