The Federal Government has filed a defamation suit against suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over remarks made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a live television appearance.
The case, marked CR/297/25, was instituted on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is the sole defendant in the suit, which accuses her of making statements “knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.” The charge is based on Section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and is punishable under Section 392.
Key witnesses expected to testify in the trial include Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Others listed include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and two investigating police officers, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba. Akpabio and Bello are named as nominal complainants in the case.
The charges stem from statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, aired on April 3, 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 over what was described as “gross misconduct” during a dispute involving seating arrangements with Akpabio.
In her response, the senator insisted her suspension was “illegal, unjust and a way of silencing her.” She also disagreed with the Senate’s claim that the suspension was unrelated to her allegation of sexual harassment.
Since the incident, the lawmaker has submitted multiple petitions against Akpabio and made further accusations.
In April, Akpabio petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, asking for an investigation into her claim that he was behind a plot to assassinate her. He requested her prosecution under applicable laws, alleging “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.”
Similarly, Yahaya Bello also petitioned the IGP, refuting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that he instigated and financed her recall process. She had further alleged that Bello, acting on Akpabio’s instructions, orchestrated an assassination attempt against her outside Abuja, intended to look like a mob attack.
The trial is expected to draw significant attention as it involves two influential political figures testifying against a sitting, though suspended, senator.
