The legal team representing suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has confirmed receipt of official court summons in the suit filed against her by the Federal Government, pledging to mount a vigorous defence grounded in facts and law.
The suit, marked CR/297/25 and filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on May 16, 2025, stems from alleged defamatory statements made by the senator during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3.
Citing Section 391 of the Penal Code, the Federal Government accused Natasha of making statements with the intent to harm the reputation of another, believed to be Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Expected prosecution witnesses include Akpabio himself, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya, and Abdulhafiz Garba—two of whom are listed as investigating police officers.
In a statement released Friday night, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, said the legal team formally received the charges on Natasha’s behalf and is ready to present a robust defence.
“At about 2:30pm on Friday, May 23, within the FCT High Court premises, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, comprising three counts alleging that our client made statements believed to harm Senator Godswill Akpabio’s reputation,” the statement read.
“We received the information through a letter of authority duly filed at the court registry. The legal team will prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client.”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, over what was described as "gross misconduct" following a seating altercation with Akpabio. She has since challenged her suspension as unlawful and politically motivated, denying claims that it was unrelated to her public accusations of sexual harassment.
Following her suspension, she filed several petitions and fresh allegations against the Senate President, including claims of assassination plots.
In response, Akpabio petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding an investigation and prosecution of the senator for criminal defamation, incitement, and false accusation.
Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, also petitioned the IGP, alleging that Natasha falsely implicated him in a conspiracy to orchestrate her assassination—allegedly under Akpabio’s orders and designed to appear as a mob attack.
The case is expected to draw national attention as it plays out in court, amid mounting tension between the embattled senator and top political figures.
Leave a Reply