Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed reports suggesting he recently initiated new legal proceedings against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the claims as fabricated and misleading.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, the Senate President rejected assertions that he had “just filed” a N200 billion lawsuit against the Kogi Central lawmaker.
Udom insisted that the matter being referenced is an ongoing defamation case lodged several months ago, not a newly instituted action.
According to the statement, the lawsuit in question was submitted over three months earlier but encountered delays typical of administrative and judicial processes.
Udom explained that attempts by the court’s bailiff to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan were unsuccessful failures that, he said, stemmed from the senator deliberately avoiding service.
He noted that after repeated attempts documented in the bailiff’s sworn affidavit, the court approved a request for substituted service in November.
“Her claim that the matter was recently filed is false and deliberately crafted to misinform the public,” the statement read.
“The facts are with the court, and the timeline is a matter of record.”
The Senate President maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public commentary on the matter is an attempt to manipulate public opinion and avoid engaging with the judicial process.
He accused her of using emotional appeals and online activism in place of evidence.
“Justice is not determined by theatrics on social media,” Akpabio insisted, urging the senator to present whatever evidence she claims to have before a competent court.
He also referenced her earlier six-month suspension from the Senate, saying her behaviour during that period reflected a similar pattern of “dramatising issues for sympathy.”
He advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to instruct her legal team appropriately, respond formally to the suit, and allow the courts to determine the validity of her allegations.
“The law requires proof and due process. Sentiments cannot substitute for evidence,” the statement added.
The dispute between both lawmakers stems from earlier allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who claimed the Senate President had sexually harassed her allegations Akpabio strongly denied and which he said formed the basis of the defamation suit.
