Nigeria’s Government has filed a criminal suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of making defamatory remarks during a live television broadcast.
Filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, t
The case marked CR/297/25, filed on May 16, 2025, at the FCT High Court, Abuja, centres on the embattled Kogi Central Senator’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on April 3.
The government alleged that her statements on the programme were defamatory and intended to harm the reputation of certain individuals.
It noted that the offence contravenes Section 391 of the Penal Code, and is punishable under Section 392.
Named as nominal complainants and key witnesses in the trial are the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Others are Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and two investigating police officers—Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.
247nextnews.com recalls that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, over alleged “gross misconduct” stemming from a confrontation with Akpabio concerning Senate seating arrangements.
The embattled Senator has since claimed her suspension was unjust, calling it a move to silence her, particularly after she raised allegations of sexual harassment and political persecution.
Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan lodged multiple petitions against the Senate President, prompting a counter-petition from Akpabio to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Akpabio, in the petition, demanded her prosecution for criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause public unrest—stemming from her claim that he orchestrated an assassination plot against her.
Yahaya Bello also petitioned the IGP, refuting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations that he funded her recall and conspired with Akpabio to arrange her murder under the guise of a mob attack.
