Natasha fires back as Akpabio seeks court-ordered apology over facebook post

Suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a motion filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who is seeking a court order for her to delete a satirical Facebook post and issue a public apology.

The controversial post, shared on April 27, poked fun at Akpabio’s leadership style and was widely interpreted as a bold jab in response to her suspension from the Senate. Akpabio’s legal team argues that the post violates an earlier court directive issued in April, which barred both parties from making public statements about the ongoing legal dispute—particularly concerning allegations of sexual harassment.

Citing that court order, Akpabio’s lawyers are requesting that the court compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the post from all her social media platforms and publish a formal apology in two national dailies, with proof of compliance.

But in a counter-affidavit, Akpoti-Uduaghan insists the post did not breach any court directive. According to her legal team, it was a creative expression of her frustration and a non-violent way to protest what she considers an unjust suspension from the red chamber.

Her lawyers further described Akpabio’s motion as a form of intimidation and a veiled attempt to silence her amid ongoing legal hostilities.

The dispute between the two senators traces back to a heated disagreement over Senate sitting arrangements in February. The confrontation escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment—a move that preceded her suspension in March.

Since then, both parties have been locked in a legal showdown.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and his aide, along with a ₦300 million claim for legal costs. She alleged that a social media post by Akpabio’s aide misrepresented her as incompetent and focused more on appearance than legislative work.

In a counter move, the wife of Senate President Akpabio has filed two lawsuits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding ₦350 billion in damages for allegedly tarnishing her husband’s reputation.

The court is expected to hear arguments on May 12 on whether Akpoti-Uduaghan must take down the post and issue an apology—or whether the court will rule in her favour, affirming her right to free expression in the context of political satire.