The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has provided clarification on the defamation lawsuit he filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing the senator’s persistent use of social media to make unsubstantiated accusations. According to a statement from Akpabio’s media office, the N40 billion lawsuit was instituted over three months ago, but its progress was delayed due to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged evasion of court summons.

The statement explains that Akpabio exercised his constitutional right to seek legal redress after Akpoti-Uduaghan made grave and unsubstantiated accusations capable of inflicting severe reputational damage. The accusations, which include allegations of sexual misconduct, have never been supported by evidence before the Senate Committee or any competent authority.

The court case was delayed due to routine administrative processes and judicial procedures. When the court resumed activities, several attempts were made to personally serve Akpoti-Uduaghan with the originating processes, but she allegedly evaded service. The court eventually granted an application for substituted service in November.

Akpabio’s office has denied Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that the lawsuit was filed recently, stating that this is false and intended to distort public understanding of the case. The statement emphasizes that legal disputes are resolved in courtrooms, not through social media narratives and staged outrage.

The Senate President’s office has called on Akpoti-Uduaghan to present her evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction, rather than relying on sensationalized commentary. The statement advises her to properly instruct her lawyers, file her defense, and provide the evidence she claims to have for the allegations.

The lawsuit highlights the importance of resolving legal disputes through due process and the rule of law, rather than relying on social media platforms. The case is expected to proceed in court, where the facts and evidence will be scrutinized and a verdict will be delivered. The public and the media await Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defense to the defamatory claims made against her.