FG Files New Cybercrime Charges Against Senator Natasha

BY Rachel Akper
June 24, 2025
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The Federal Government has filed fresh criminal charges against the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, intensifying legal pressure on the outspoken lawmaker.

The new charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, was lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 22, 2025, just weeks after a similar suit (CR/297/25) was instituted at the FCT High Court.

Both cases stem from comments allegedly made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which the government claims were damaging to the reputations of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The FCT High Court case is based on Section 392 of the Penal Code, addressing criminal defamation, while the Federal High Court charge invokes Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Act, 2024 (as amended). Authorities allege that the senator made online statements capable of tarnishing the public image of the two political figures.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently denied the allegations, labelling them as politically motivated attempts to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition voices.

The dual charges filed in separate courts have sparked criticism from legal experts and civil rights advocates, who accuse the government of “forum shopping” a tactic involving the filing of similar cases in different courts to improve the chances of a favorable judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was granted bail by the FCT High Court on June 19, 2025, is now scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court for arraignment on June 30, 2025