Court Strikes Out Suit Against Senator Natasha In Alleged Organ Harvesting Case
An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Eket has struck out a defamation suit instituted against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over allegations linking her to claims of organ harvesting and the murder of the late Iniubong Umoren.
The suit was filed by Mr. Ukeme Umoren, who alleged that the senator's statements were defamatory. However, the court ruled that the claimant failed to establish a reasonable cause of action and lacked the legal standing necessary to sustain the case.
According to a status report released by the law firm representing Akpoti-Uduaghan, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, Justice Pius P. Idiong delivered the ruling on Monday, June 22, 2026, after considering a preliminary objection raised by the senator's legal team.
The case, marked Suit No. HEK/86/25: Mr. Ukeme Umoren v. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was heard at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, Eket Judicial Division.
In a report signed by Senior Associate Aifuwa Imadegbelo, the defence team said the court upheld its preliminary objection on crucial grounds.
“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.
The court further held that Akpoti-Uduaghan neither originated nor first published the statements at the centre of the dispute, noting that she merely repeated information that had already entered the public domain.
Although the defence had sought a dismissal of the case, the court opted to strike it out instead 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 lawyers added.
Neither the claimant nor the defendant was present in court when the ruling was delivered. Mr. Ukeme Umoren was represented by G.O. Erakpotobor, who held brief for Nsikan Ukpong, while Kingsley Ikechukwu appeared for Akpoti-Uduaghan on behalf of A.E. Imadegbelo.
The judgment marks another legal victory for the Kogi Central lawmaker amid a series of court cases arising from allegations and counter-allegations involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The controversy stemmed from allegations linking Akpabio to the murder of the late Iniubong Umoren and claims of organ harvesting. A subsequent police investigation reportedly found the allegations to be baseless and recommended legal action against individuals responsible for circulating the claims.
The dispute also gave rise to criminal defamation proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, in January 2026, a High Court in Abuja struck out the criminal charges after the Federal Government filed a notice discontinuing the case, a development the senator described as a vindication of her position.