Nigerian Government Sues Senator Natasha Akpoti For Criminal Defamation, Akpabio and Yahaya Bello to Testify

The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed criminal charges against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of making defamatory statements alleging an assassination plot against her by prominent political figures.

The charges were filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 

The case, marked CR/297/25, was instituted on May 16, 2025, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. Akpoti-Uduaghan is the sole defendant in the suit.

The case relates to comments Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made during a live television broadcast on April 3, 2025.

The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.” The offence is cited under Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

According to the charge sheet, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making statements that could harm the reputations of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. 

During the interview, the senator alleged that both men were involved in a plot to assassinate her — a claim the government insists amounts to criminal defamation.

The government’s move to prosecute comes amid escalating tensions between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership, particularly Senate President Akpabio, whom she had earlier accused of sexual harassment.

The Attorney General’s office has argued that the senator’s statements were reckless and baseless, designed to tarnish the reputations of the accused without evidence. 

Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains that her allegations were made in the public interest and that the charges are politically motivated.

The case is now set to proceed in the High Court of the FCT, with legal observers closely watching developments in this high-profile dispute.

No court date has been announced yet for the commencement of trial proceedings

Boluwatife Enome

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