Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed recent reports suggesting that a ₦200 billion lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was newly filed, calling the claims misleading and far from the truth.
In a statement released by his media aide, Jackson Udom, Akpabio clarified that the legal action was initiated over three months ago. He explained that the delay in the case’s progress was due to standard court procedures and administrative steps, not because the suit was only recently introduced.
Udom further revealed that court officials had made several unsuccessful attempts to serve the legal documents to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. According to a sworn affidavit, these efforts were hindered by what was described as her “deliberate evasion of service.” As a result, the court approved a substituted service order in November.
Akpabio criticized the senator’s approach to the matter, stating that legal issues should be addressed in court rather than through social media campaigns. He accused her of seeking public sympathy instead of engaging with the legal process.
“The online applause Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan habitually seeks cannot replace credible evidence, legal procedure, or judicial scrutiny,” he said.
He also referenced her previous six-month suspension from the Senate, which he described as a legitimate disciplinary action. He claimed she attempted to undermine the decision through online protests but ultimately served the full term.
Calling for transparency, Akpabio challenged her to bring forward any evidence she claims to have:
“It is time for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present the ‘evidence’ she claims to possess before a court of competent jurisdiction, rather than relying on sensationalised commentary designed solely to attract sympathy and obscure the facts.”
He concluded by emphasizing that the legal system operates on facts and due process, not on emotional appeals or digital theatrics, and urged her to respond to the lawsuit through proper legal channels.
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