uspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, is set to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday following a court summons. The development was confirmed by her lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) West Idahosa, on Sunday.
Federal Government Files Defamation Charges Against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, has filed criminal defamation charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The charges stem from statements allegedly made during a live broadcast on Politics Today aired by Channels Television on April 3, 2025, and in a private phone call on March 27, 2025.
The case, filed under charge number CR/297/25 on May 16, 2025, alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan defamed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. In her televised remarks, she purportedly claimed that Akpabio and Bello discussed a plot to assassinate her.
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night— to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi,” the charge sheet quoted her as saying.
Allegations of Organ Harvesting Add to Defamation Claims
In addition to the televised remarks, the government cited a recorded phone conversation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and a woman identified as Dr. Sandra Duru. During this conversation, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly accused Akpabio of being linked to organ harvesting involving the late Iniubong Umoren, suggesting the operation was for the benefit of his ailing wife.
Akpabio, Bello, and four other individuals have been named as key prosecution witnesses in the high-profile trial.
Legal Team Reacts Ahead of Tuesday’s Court Appearance
West Idahosa, leading Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal defense, stated that although it remains unclear whether the arraignment will proceed on Tuesday, his client will honor the court summons as a law-abiding citizen.
“Our client is a law-abiding citizen. Why wouldn’t she be there? It’s a summons we have undertaken. Only disrespectful institutions that disregard court orders would fail to appear, and she is not in that category,” Idahosa said.
He further emphasized that the legal team is fully prepared to defend her against the allegations:
“If the case is called tomorrow, we will respond accordingly. Our focus is on defending charges that can be legally contested — not on staging protests. That’s for civil society,” he added.
Legal Uncertainty as Federal Government Mulls Amendments
Idahosa also expressed concerns over the Federal Government’s intentions, citing recent amendments to the charges.
“We don’t know what their plans are. We’ve seen a notice of amended charges. They’ve amended the charges once already and may do so again,” he noted.
