SEAP Asks Tinubu to Withdraw Criminal Case Against Senator Natasha

The Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SEAP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to withdraw the criminal defamation case filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The organisation described the prosecution as an abuse of power and a threat to democratic values and freedom of expression.

The case, filed by the Federal Government under Section 391 of the Penal Code, stems from comments made by the senator during a television appearance where she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of inappropriate conduct and alleged that her life was under threat due to political persecution.

Following her allegations, Senator Natasha, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended by the Senate for six months—an action that was widely criticised by civil society groups and later halted by a court injunction.

SEAP, in a statement, condemned the government’s decision to pursue criminal defamation charges, calling it politically motivated and a misuse of state resources to target a serving lawmaker.

The group said the legal action amounted to a violation of the senator’s rights and was aimed at silencing her for speaking out on issues of national importance.

According to SEAP, the Tinubu administration must demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles by halting the case and protecting the rights of elected officials to freely express themselves without fear of state retaliation.

The organisation warned that allowing the case to continue would set a dangerous precedent and weaken public trust in the country’s legal and political institutions.

Civil society organisations and human rights activists have also expressed concern over what they described as a growing trend of using state power to suppress dissent and intimidate whistleblowers.

SEAP reiterated that criminal defamation laws have no place in a democracy and urged the government to act swiftly to reverse what it called a clear case of injustice.

The group stressed that President Tinubu, as head of the executive arm of government, has the authority to instruct the Attorney-General to discontinue the case in the interest of justice and the preservation of democratic values.