A High Court in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, has struck out a defamation lawsuit filed against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in connection with allegations surrounding organ harvesting and the death of the late Iniubong Umoren.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, June 22, 2026, by Justice Pius P. Idiong, followed a preliminary objection raised by the Senator’s legal team, which challenged the competence of the suit.
According to a status report released by M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, the law firm representing Akpoti-Uduaghan, the court found that the claimant, Mr. Ukeme Umoren, failed to establish the legal grounds necessary to sustain the action.
The case, marked Suit No. HEK/86/25: Mr. Ukeme Umoren v. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was heard at the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Eket Judicial Division.
In a report signed by Senior Associate, Aifuwa Imadegbelo, the court upheld key aspects of the defendant’s objection, ruling that the claimant lacked the legal standing to pursue the matter because he was not identified in the allegedly defamatory publication.
The court also held that Akpoti-Uduaghan neither published nor caused the publication of the statements being challenged.
“The Court upheld the objection in part on two grounds: first, that the Claimant was not mentioned in the alleged defamatory publication and therefore lacked the locus standi to maintain the suit; and second, that the Defendant did not publish or cause to be published the alleged statement complained of,” the report stated.
Justice Idiong further ruled that the Kogi Central lawmaker was not the originator of the statements at the centre of the dispute and merely repeated information that had already circulated in the public domain.
Although the court declined to dismiss the case outright, it struck out the suit and made no order as to costs.
“The court, however, declined to dismiss the suit outright. Consequently, the suit was struck out. No order was made as to costs,” the legal team added.
Neither party was present in court when the ruling was delivered. The claimant was represented by G.O. Erakpotobor, who appeared for Nsikan Ukpong, while Kingsley Ikechukwu represented the defendant on behalf of A.E. Imadegbelo.
The decision marks the latest courtroom victory for Akpoti-Uduaghan amid a series of legal disputes linked to allegations and counter-allegations involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Kogi Central Senator.
The controversy arose from claims connecting Akpabio to the murder of the late Iniubong Umoren and alleged organ harvesting. A police investigation reportedly found no basis for the allegations and recommended legal action against those responsible for spreading them.
The dispute also led to criminal defamation charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, in January 2026, an Abuja High Court struck out the charges after the Federal Government formally discontinued the case. The Senator subsequently described the outcome as a vindication.
Monday’s ruling in Eket represents another legal setback for attempts to pursue civil claims against Akpoti-Uduaghan over the controversial allegations.
