Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Appear in Court Tuesday
The suspended senator from Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, as mandated.
As reported in the media, her principal attorney, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed this information on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Idahosa expressed uncertainty regarding whether the Federal Government intends to formally charge her on Tuesday.
He emphasized that regardless of the government’s intentions, Akpoti-Uduaghan will comply with the court’s directives, as she holds the law in high regard.
The Federal Government has initiated criminal proceedings against the suspended senator through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar.
The charges allege that she made defamatory remarks during a live television broadcast and a private phone conversation.
These statements purportedly targeted Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges were filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, with the case designated CR/297/25.
According to the charge sheet, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making statements during her appearance on Politics Today on Channels TV on April 3, 2025. During the program, she allegedly asserted that Akpabio and Bello conspired to end her life.
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night— to eliminate me… he then emphasized that I should be killed in Kogi,” the charge quotes her as saying.
The government further accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory comments during a phone conversation on March 27, 2025.
In that conversation with Dr. Sandra Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly claimed that Akpabio was involved in organ harvesting related to the late Iniubong Umoren, purportedly for the benefit of Akpabio’s ailing wife.
Akpabio, Bello, and four others have been identified as key witnesses in the trial.
Idahosa stated that his legal team is prepared to defend Akpoti-Uduaghan in court.
“If the case is called tomorrow, we will respond accordingly with our client.
“The issue of protest is irrelevant to us — we are lawyers, and our focus is on contesting charges we believe can be challenged. Protests are the province of civil societies and others in that domain,” Idahosa remarked.
He further stated that his client respects the law and will undoubtedly appear in court.
“Our client is a law-abiding citizen. Why wouldn’t she be there? It’s a summons we have committed to. Only disrespectful entities that flout court orders would fail to appear, and she is not in that category.”
When questioned about the potential arraignment, Idahosa expressed uncertainty regarding the government’s forthcoming actions.
