The legal team representing suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has acknowledged receiving a formal court summons regarding a lawsuit filed by the Federal Government over alleged defamatory comments made by the senator.
The suit, marked CR/297/25, was filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. It stems from remarks Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made during a live broadcast of Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
The government accuses the senator of violating Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, by making statements she allegedly knew could damage another person’s reputation.
Notably, the prosecution has listed several prominent individuals as witnesses, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya (an investigating police officer), and Abdulhafiz Garba (another investigating officer).
In response, Natasha’s legal team, led by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), confirmed the receipt of the formal charge and expressed readiness to defend her with all available legal tools.
“At about 2:30pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement read.
“We received the said information on her behalf through a letter of authority duly issued and filed in the court’s registry.
“The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was termed “gross misconduct” following a confrontation regarding seating arrangements involving the Senate President. She has since labeled the suspension “illegal, unjust, and a deliberate attempt to silence her.”
She also refuted claims by the Senate that the suspension had no connection to her sexual harassment allegations.
Following her suspension, the lawmaker filed several petitions and made fresh accusations against Akpabio. In retaliation, the Senate President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of assassination claims and calling for her prosecution on grounds of “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.”
Former Governor Yahaya Bello also petitioned the IGP, alleging that the senator falsely accused him of orchestrating a plan to have her recalled from the Senate. She had previously accused Bello of acting under Akpabio’s instruction to arrange her assassination outside Abuja, making it appear like a random or local attack.
