By Adesina Soyooye
The foul-mouthed Senator representing Ebonyi North in the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has again talked himself into trouble. And, if he does not put a break to his mouth, which many say runs like diarrhoea over the se3ual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, he could be the one carrying the can for Akpabio.
Recall that a few days ago, Senator Nwebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate had, publicly, insulted a former Minister for Education, Oby Ezekwesili over the Akpabio/Akpoti-Uduaghan issue. It was at the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, sitting on the issue.
Ezekwesili, a former Vice President of the World Bank, Africa, had come as an observer and an unabashed sympathiser to the complaints made by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, while Senator Nwebonyi was there as Akpabio’s witness.
While discussions were proceeding, Nwebonyi said something to the effect that there was no point as the other side had nothing to say. Ezekwesili asked him to shut up. An outraged Nwebonyi hit the roof. It was like pouring fuel into an already blazing fire. He insulted Ezekwesili silly. Called her a fool repeatedly. A fool at 70. (For the records Ezekwesili is 61). Dubbed her a disgrace to womanhood and capped it by asking her to shut her smelly mouth. Ezekwesili in turn dismissed him as a hooligan.
Since that incident which shocked not a few people, women groups and several individuals have strongly condemned the Senator and a few have canvassed for his recall or public apology. He remains unrepentant.
Now, over the same Akpabio/Akpoti-Uduaghan issue, Nwebonyi has again entered into hot water.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, a Traditional Chief of Warri Kingdom, an entrepreneur, and businessman, has threatened to drag him to Court. His offence?
While defending Akpabio, Nwebonyi had said the High Chief married Akpoti-Uduaghan under duress; that she blackmailed him into marrying her.
The Chief is, therefore, demanding a written apology, and has given him the whole of 14 days to comply or face the consequences.
In a letter dated March 27, to Nwebonyi, Chief Uduaghan’s Counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, said the Chief would seek legal action after the 14-day ultimatum.
Nwebonyi incurred the Chief’s anger in an interview he granted News Central Television where he alleged that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan forced her husband into marriage through blackmail. He insisted that the union between the two was contracted under duress.
His words: “In my own assessment she is not among the beautiful women in Nigeria and it is high time we come hard on her and why people like us are speaking on top of our voice is not just to protect and defend the Senate president but to protect and defend her future victims. Even her present husband, she married him out of something like this. She threatened to sue the man. I have a letter circulated over the world that the man should pay her N10 billion or marry her under duress.
“So the marriage was under duress. A product of blackmail. I was watching a video of how the father of the first wife of the husband narrated her ordeal. This lady came into their family, destabilised the family and took over her husband. And without going into her character, ask Senator Natasha how many husbands has she had in her life at the age of 47 or 45?
Defamation and reputational damage
Chief Uduaghan’s lawyer, in the letter, refuted the allegations and posited that Natasha and Chief Uduaghan are well-respected people.
He wrote: “The said defamatory statements made by you were widely circulated by users of other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and many more within and outside Nigeria 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. Chief Uduaghan is a very successful businessman, community leader, high chief and philanthropist, known for upholding cherished values of the Nigerian society to the admiration of many.
“The defamatory statements had caused embarrassment, distrust, and damage to the couple’s reputation among family, friends, and associates.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a successful Nigerian politician, opinion moulder, defender of the needy, efficient wife and mother well admired at home and abroad.
“Since you uttered your said defamatory words that were widely aired, some family members, friends, political and business associates of our clients now view them with a strange level of disdain and distrust. Our clients have been deeply embarrassed by the extent and effect of your false and malicious words.”
Public apology or legal action
“Consequently, we hereby demand a written apology from you within 14 days from the date of your receipt of this letter. The apology should be widely circulated. It must, in particular, be aired on News Central TV and published by various social media platforms which published your defamatory words.
“Failing a satisfactory response from you, our instruction is to initiate the necessary legal process to seek redress for our clients.”
Senator Nwebonyi has not commented on the letter yet.
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