Emmanuel Uduaghan, husband of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Ebonyi North Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, demanding a public apology over allegations that he married the senator under duress.
Mr. Uduaghan, a traditional chief of the Warri Kingdom in Delta State, South-South Nigeria, conveyed his demand through a letter dated 27 March, written by his legal counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN). The letter warned that failure to comply would result in legal action.
The controversy stems from statements made by Senator Nwebonyi during a recent interview on News Central Television, where he alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan pressured her husband into marriage through blackmail, claiming the union was established under duress.
“In my own assessment, she is not among the beautiful women in Nigeria… Even her present husband, she married him out of something like this. She threatened to sue the man… The marriage was under duress, a product of blackmail,” Nwebonyi stated.
He also claimed to have witnessed interactions between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan during a visit to Akwa Ibom, where the Kogi senator had accused the Senate President of making inappropriate advances. As Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Nwebonyi has actively defended Akpabio against the allegations.
In response, Mr. Uduaghan’s lawyer refuted the accusations, emphasizing the couple’s integrity and social standing.
“The said defamatory statements made by you were widely circulated on social media with the intention of damaging the reputation of our clients… Contrary to the malicious words spoken by you, our clients are very respectable, successful, result-oriented, and self-decision-driven members of the Nigerian society,” the letter stated.
The legal counsel stressed that the false allegations had caused severe embarrassment and reputational damage to the couple, impacting their relationships with family, friends, and associates.
The letter demanded that Senator Nwebonyi issue a written public apology within 14 days and ensure its circulation across the same media platforms where the defamatory statements were spread, including News Central Television.
Failure to comply will prompt legal action to seek redress for the damage inflicted on the reputation of Chief Uduaghan and his wife.
The incident continues to spark reactions across social media, as many await the next steps from both parties.
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