The Federal Government has initiated legal proceedings against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, over statements she allegedly made during a live television broadcast that are considered defamatory.
Filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the case—identified as CR/297/25—names Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant. The government claims she made remarks intended to damage another individual’s reputation, a violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. If found guilty, she faces penalties outlined under Section 392 of the same law.
According to court documents, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello are expected to appear as key witnesses. The first charge alleges that the senator made the defamatory comments on April 3, 2025, during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today.”
Additional witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and police investigators Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba. Akpabio and Bello are listed as the primary complainants in the case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 over what was described as “gross misconduct,” linked to a dispute over seating arrangements involving Akpabio. She has since criticized the suspension, calling it unlawful and an attempt to silence her, particularly after she raised concerns about sexual harassment, which the Senate denied was the reason for her suspension.
Following the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan made multiple public allegations and filed petitions targeting the Senate President. In April, Akpabio filed a complaint with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing her of falsely alleging he was involved in an assassination plot. He called for a prompt investigation and her prosecution for criminal defamation, incitement, false accusations, and conduct that could incite public unrest.
Yahaya Bello also lodged a complaint with the police, contesting claims that he orchestrated and funded efforts to recall the senator. Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused him of conspiring with Akpabio to stage her assassination in a way that would resemble a spontaneous mob attack outside Abuja.
