Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, demanding that he retract alleged defamatory statements made during a recent television interview.
In a letter dated March 27, 2025, with reference number WIC/W/AB/W3/25, the solicitors representing Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, a respected businessman and high chief in Warri Kingdom, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, accused Nwaebonyi of making damaging and false remarks during an interview aired on News Central TV and its affiliate platforms, including DSTV, GOTV, Startimes, and AVO.
During the interview, Nwaebonyi allegedly implied that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had a history of making false sexual harassment accusations and suggested that her marriage to Chief Uduaghan was based on coercion rather than mutual affection. These remarks, which quickly gained traction on social media, have been described by the Uduaghans’ legal team as a deliberate effort to tarnish their reputation.
The legal notice highlights the serious implications of Nwaebonyi’s comments, arguing that they portray Chief Uduaghan as a victim of blackmail and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as someone with questionable moral character. According to the letter, these statements have caused significant reputational damage, resulting in distrust and embarrassment among their political, social, and business associates.
The demand letter calls for a written public apology from Senator Nwaebonyi, to be aired on News Central TV and widely shared across social media platforms, within 14 days. The letter warns that failure to comply will lead to legal action to seek redress.
In a related development, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has submitted an affidavit to the Senate Ethics Committee as part of her ongoing petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she has accused of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties. In the affidavit, Akpoti-Uduaghan recounts an alleged incident on December 8, 2023, during a visit to Akpabio’s country home in Akwa Ibom State. According to her, Akpabio 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.”
She lamented that her petition was initially rejected by the Senate, prompting her constituent, Mr. Suberu Azamare Yakubu, to present it on her behalf.
Meanwhile, during the controversial interview, Senator Nwaebonyi dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Akpabio, stating that “it is high time we come hard on her.” He referenced a prior accusation she made against former presidential aide Reno Omokri during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, claiming that Omokri was not in Nigeria at the time of the alleged incident.
Nwaebonyi argued that his criticism was aimed at protecting “future victims” of alleged false accusations and went on to question Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marital history in what has been perceived as an attempt to shame her publicly.
