Federal Government Files Defamation Charges Against Suspended Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Federal Government has initiated criminal defamation proceedings against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, with her legal team confirming receipt of court summons on Friday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The lawsuit, marked CR/297/25, stems from alleged defamatory comments made by the senator during a live television appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on April 3, 2025. The Federal Government filed the charges on May 16, 2025, citing violations of Section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
According to the government’s complaint, Akpoti-Uduaghan made damaging statements against individuals while knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such statements would harm their reputations. The three-count charge specifically alleges that the senator made imputations she had reason to believe would damage the reputation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), leading Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defense team, confirmed receiving the court summons through an official statement released on Friday. “At about 2:30 pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement read.
The senior advocate emphasized that the legal team received the court documents on behalf of their client through a properly issued letter of authority filed in the court’s registry. “The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial,” West-Idahosa assured.
The prosecution has assembled a notable list of witnesses for the upcoming trial, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Additional witnesses include Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya, investigating police officers, and Abdulhafiz Garba.
The defamation charges represent the latest development in an escalating conflict between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership that began with her suspension on March 6 for “gross misconduct.” The suspension followed a heated confrontation with Senate President Akpabio over her seating arrangements during a Senate session.
Since her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained that the disciplinary action was illegal and unjust, describing it as part of a systematic campaign to silence her voice in the upper legislative chamber. She has consistently challenged the legitimacy of her suspension through various legal channels.
The situation intensified in April when Senate President Akpabio petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing the suspended senator of defamation, false accusations, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. This petition came in response to additional allegations leveled by Akpoti-Uduaghan following her suspension.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello also joined the fray by filing his own petition with the Inspector-General of Police. Bello alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims about a plot to assassinate her were part of a broader conspiracy involving the Senate President.
The controversy deepened when Akpoti-Uduaghan made serious allegations against both Akpabio and Bello, claiming that the former governor was orchestrating efforts to recall her from the Senate on Akpabio’s instructions. She further alleged that Bello was working to orchestrate her assassination, which she claimed would be disguised as a mob attack or local violence outside Abuja.
These explosive accusations have transformed what began as a dispute over Senate seating arrangements into a complex legal battle involving multiple parties and serious criminal allegations. The defamation case now represents a significant test of the boundaries between legitimate political criticism and potentially harmful public statements by elected officials.
As the case proceeds, it will likely attract considerable public attention given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the serious nature of the allegations on both sides. The outcome could have implications for how political disputes are resolved within Nigeria’s legislative chambers and the extent to which lawmakers can publicly criticize their colleagues without facing legal consequences.
