The Federal Government has filed a criminal suit against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged defamatory statements made during a live television appearance.
Filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, the case—marked CR/297/25—names Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant. The government is charging her under Section 391 of the Penal Code for making statements “knowing or having reason to believe” they would damage another person’s reputation. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same code.
The allegations stem from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, aired on April 3, 2025. According to the charge sheet, she allegedly made defamatory remarks implicating top political figures.
The prosecution’s witness list includes prominent individuals such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello—both of whom are listed as nominal complainants. Other witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and police investigators Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Akpabio over seating arrangements. She has since challenged the suspension, calling it illegal and politically motivated.
In the weeks following her suspension, the senator made a series of public allegations and filed petitions against Akpabio, including claims of sexual harassment and an assassination plot. In response, Akpabio filed a petition with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of criminal defamation, incitement, and false accusation.
Similarly, former Governor Bello also petitioned the IGP over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that he had a role in her attempted recall and was allegedly acting under Akpabio’s instruction to orchestrate her assassination in a staged mob attack outside Abuja.
The case is expected to generate significant attention as it proceeds through the court system.