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From Sunday Ani
Senate President Godswill Akpabio did not appear or send legal representation to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi, on Tuesday, for a N10 billion defamation suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The suit, marked CV/754/25, also names Akpabio’s media aide, Patrick Mfon, as a defendant.
Justice A. S. Kutigi noted Akpabio’s absence in the high-profile case, while Mfon, the third defendant, was represented by counsel. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ogbogbo Olisemekelim, reported attempts to serve Akpabio through his aide, Dayo Fadugba. Justice Kutigi stressed that civil procedure rules require personal service on Akpabio and ordered the originating processes be delivered directly to him.
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The suit stems from social media posts by Mfon, allegedly claiming Akpoti-Uduaghan dressed inappropriately in the Senate and was bitter over her removal as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content. Mfon’s posts also stated she “had nothing to offer legislatively,” which Akpoti-Uduaghan called false, defamatory, sexist, and damaging to her reputation and office.
Justice Kutigi emphasised that such serious allegations involving public officials require due legal process. The court adjourned the case to June 9, 2025, for a service report and hearing, underscoring accountability regardless of political status.
