Senator Natasha, Husband Threaten Court Action Against Deputy Chief Whip Nwaebonyi Over Defamatory Remarks

Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, is facing potential legal action over alleged defamatory remarks made against Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The legal representatives of both individuals have issued a formal demand for a public apology, failing which a lawsuit will be instituted against him.

In a letter dated March 27, 2025, with reference WIC/W/AB/W3/25, the solicitors representing Chief Uduaghan, a respected businessman and high chief in Warri Kingdom, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, accused Nwaebonyi of making damaging statements during a television interview.

The remarks were aired on News Central TV and its affiliate platforms, including DSTV, GOTV, Startimes, and AVO.

During the interview, Nwaebonyi allegedly made derogatory remarks suggesting that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has a pattern of making false accusations of sexual harassment and implied that her marriage to Chief Uduaghan was based on coercion rather than mutual affection.

The statements, which quickly spread across social media, have been described as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of both individuals.

The legal letter outlines the serious implications of the senator’s remarks, stating that they falsely portray Chief Uduaghan as a victim of blackmail and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as someone of questionable moral character.

According to the solicitors, these statements have caused significant reputational damage, leading to distrust and embarrassment among their political, social, and business associates.

The demand notice calls for a written public apology from Senator Nwaebonyi within 14 days, to be aired on News Central TV and widely disseminated across social media platforms.

Failure to comply, the letter warns, will result in legal proceedings against the senator to seek redress.

SaharaReporters had reported that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday submitted an affidavit to the Senate Ethics Committee as supporting evidence in her petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

She had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties.

In the affidavit, the suspended senator quoted Akpabio to have said, “Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate and you can enjoy a whole lot from me if you take care of me and make me happy.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan lamented that her petition was initially rejected by the Senate, prompting her constituent, Mr. Suberu Azamare Yakubu, to present it on her behalf.

The affidavit, obtained by SaharaReporters, details an alleged incident that occurred on December 8, 2023, during a visit to Akpabio’s country home in Akwa Ibom State.

However, speaking in an interview with News Central on Wednesday, Nwaebonyi had dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of sexual harassment, saying that “it is high time we come hard on her”.

He had referenced an accusation she made against former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He argued that Omokri was not even in Nigeria at the time, implying that the allegations were baseless.

Nwaebonyi stated that his criticism was not solely about defending the Senate President but also about safeguarding “future victims” of such alleged conduct. He went on to question how many husbands Akpoti-Uduaghan has had, seemingly using her marital history to shame her. (SaharaReporters)