Natasha: Court Orders Substituted Service On Akpabio In N100bn Defamation Suit

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered that the processes filed in the N100bn defamation suit against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, be served on him through substituted means.

The suit was instituted against Akpabio by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice Idris Kutigi’s 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 the Senate President failed to appear in court in respect of the matter on May 7, 2025.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in suit with number FCT/HC/CV/754/2025, accused Senator Akpabio of damaging 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 to the National Assembly (CNA), effectively ensuring that the Senate President is duly notified of the proceedings.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is pursuing the suit with determination, insisting that certain 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.