Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, accusing him of defamation over several alleged false statements made during media interviews in March 2025.

The suit, which was filed by Senator Natasha?s legal team led by M.J. Numa, SAN, highlights a series of defamatory comments made by Senator Nwaebonyi on national television platforms, including Channels Television and Arise News. The claimant?s legal team is seeking multiple declarations from the court, asserting that the statements were malicious, false, and damaging to her public image.

One of the central accusations stems from an interview with Senator Nwaebonyi on Channels TV?s Sunrise Daily on March 6, 2025, where he allegedly referred to Senator Natasha as a ?gold digger,? ?habitual liar,? and ?habitual blackmailer.? In the legal documents, Senator Natasha?s lawyers argue, ?These statements were not only false but intended to tarnish her public image and reputation.?

The lawsuit also refers to another interview on Arise News TV, aired on March 3, 2025, where Senator Nwaebonyi allegedly claimed that Senator Natasha was ?a mother of six from different men.? Her legal team contends that such remarks were ?deliberately made to injure her character and diminish her credibility,? particularly as a public figure and a female politician.

Furthermore, the lawsuit includes videos published on YouTube, particularly one from News Central TV on March 27, 2025. In this clip, 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 she had falsely alleged sexual harassment against a former presidential aide.

?These defamatory statements have since caused the Claimant considerable distress, reputational harm, embarrassment, and emotional distress,? the writ declares.

Senator Natasha is now seeking N5 billion in damages, claiming that these actions have severely damaged her reputation and public standing.

In addition to the financial compensation, Senator Natasha is demanding a retraction of the defamatory statements and an apology in national newspapers and other media outlets within seven days of the court?s judgment.

The claimant is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction to prevent the defendant and his associates from publishing further defamatory comments.

The court proceedings have not yet been assigned a hearing date, as the defendant is expected to respond within 21 days from the date of service of the writ. (Nigerian Tribune)

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