Rasheeda Yahaya
In the wake of a contentious ₦200 billion defamation suit filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the court of public opinion has been swift to render judgment.
The dominant narrative frames this legal action as a classic case of a powerful man using his position to intimidate and silence an accuser.
However, a closer examination reveals a more fundamental principle at stake: the imperative for serious allegations to be resolved through the established mechanisms of due process and judicial scrutiny, rather than trial by media.
The HallowMace Foundation Africa, as a non-governmental democratic advocacy organization, recognizes the gravity of allegations of sexual harassment, especially when levied against the nation’s number three citizen. Such claims strike at the heart of institutional integrity and public trust.
The very act of airing them on national television and across social media platforms subjects not just the individual, but the offices they hold and the nation they represent, to profound scrutiny and reputational damage, both domestically and internationally.
The only credible path to resolving a matter of this magnitude is through a transparent, evidence-based legal process where facts, not narratives, are sovereign.
The Court As the Proper Arena For Proof
Contrary to the perception of a sudden, retaliatory strike, the Senate President’s legal team has clarified that the suit was filed over three months ago.
The public revelation in December 2025 followed procedural delays, including what court documents describe as multiple unsuccessful attempts to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, leading a judge to authorize substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly in November.
From this perspective, the lawsuit is not an act of intimidation but an assertion of a fundamental right to seek legal redress for what is claimed to be severe reputational harm. The spokesperson for the Senate President, Jackson Udom, has articulated a clear stance:
“Legal disputes are resolved in courtrooms, not through orchestrated narratives and staged outrage on social-media platforms”. This position underscores a commitment to a process “guided by proof, procedure, and due process, not sentiment, not emotion, and certainly not social-media theatrics”.
Significantly, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has herself welcomed the lawsuit as her “golden opportunity” to prove her allegations. She stated that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges had declined to hear her petition, citing a separate defamation suit filed by Akpabio’s wife, while Senate rules allegedly prevented her from going to court first.
The defamation suit, therefore, breaks this procedural deadlock, providing the very platform for evidence she claims to have been denied. Both parties are now aligned on one critical point: the courtroom is the appropriate venue to settle this dispute.
BEYOND THE HEADLINES: The Stakes For Democratic Accountability
This case transcends a personal feud. It presents a critical test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions in handling serious misconduct allegations against high-ranking officials. The alternative to judicial adjudication is the perilous path of “trial by media,” where accusations are tried in the court of public opinion based on sentiment and viral posts, devoid of cross-examination, rules of evidence, or the right to a defense.
For an allegation as severe as sexual harassment against the Senate President, public reliance on unverified media reports and social media commentary is insufficient and dangerous. It undermines the principle of presumption of innocence and risks reducing grave matters of public interest to political spectacles. The legal process, for all its imperfections, demands that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan present the evidence she has repeatedly referenced to a competent jurisdiction. Correspondingly, it requires Senator Akpabio to prove that the statements made were false and damaging.
The HallowMace Foundation Africa contends that the true intimidation lies not in seeking judicial review, but in the potential for powerful, unsubstantiated claims to permanently tarnish an individual’s name and legacy outside the boundaries of legal proof. A functioning democracy requires its citizens, especially its leaders, to have faith in and submit to its legal systems. Choosing litigation is an affirmation of that system.
Conclusion: A Necessary Adjudication
The ₦200 billion figure has, understandably, captured headlines and sparked debate about proportionality. However, the core of this matter is not the sum sought but the principle invoked.
When Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan declared, “See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she acknowledged the battlefield she herself had chosen.
Senator Akpabio’s move to court should not be hastily condemned as intimidation. It is, at its essence, an invitation, and now a compelled summons to transition from allegation to proof. It is a demand for due process. If Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan possesses credible evidence, the courtroom offers the definitive stage to present it, potentially holding a powerful figure to account. If such evidence is lacking, the legal process will provide a resolution and the basis for restorative action.
In urging the public and commentators to look beyond the emotive framing, the HallowMace Foundation Africa advocates for patience and respect for the judicial process. The nation’s attention should now shift to the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where facts will be weighed, evidence tested, and a verdict reached not by popular vote, but by the rule of law. In this sober arena, away from the noise of social media, the truth, whatever it may be stands its best chance of being found.
About HallowMace Foundation Africa:
HallowMace Foundation Africa is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of democratic values, civic education, and institutional accountability across the African continent. We believe in the power of informed dialogue and rigorous process to strengthen democratic governance.
