FG Drags Natasha to Court for Criminal Defamation, Akpabio, Yahaya Bello are Prosecution Witnesses
The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed criminal defamation charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, over allegations she made during a live television appearance accusing high-ranking officials of plotting to assassinate her.
The charges, filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court under case number CR/297/25, accuse Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of criminal defamation under Section 391 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 392.
According to court documents, the senator is being prosecuted for knowingly making false imputations that could harm the reputations of others.
The allegations center on an interview granted by Akpoti-Uduaghan on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025, during which she claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello conspired to assassinate her and intended to disguise the attempt as a mob attack.
In a move that underscores the political weight of the case, both Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello are named as nominal complainants and are expected to testify against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Other prosecution witnesses include:
• Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong
• Sandra Duru (a political associate)
• Maya Iliya (police investigator)
• Abdulhafiz Garba (police investigator)
The case is the latest development in an increasingly contentious relationship between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the leadership of the Nigerian Senate.
Earlier this year, in February 2025, she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment and alleged political persecution.
However, her petition was dismissed by the Senate Ethics Committee on procedural grounds, and she was subsequently suspended from legislative duties for six months for what was described as “gross misconduct.”
Following her televised claims in April, both Akpabio and Bello submitted petitions to the Inspector-General of Police, demanding her prosecution for defamation, incitement, and making false allegations.
In her defense, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused the Nigeria Police Force of bias, claiming that her own petitions—filed against Akpabio and Bello for alleged threats and harassment—have not been given due attention.
Her legal team has called on the Attorney General of the Federation to review all petitions related to the matter to ensure justice and impartiality.
“This is a politically motivated attempt to silence a dissenting voice. The law must not be weaponized to punish whistleblowers,” a spokesperson for Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.
The case, expected to begin trial proceedings in the coming weeks, is being closely watched across political and civil society circles.
Analysts suggest it could have significant implications not only for the individuals involved but also for the broader discourse around political dissent, freedom of expression, and judicial independence in Nigeria.
