The Federal Government has filed a criminal defamation suit against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing alleged defamatory comments made during a live television interview.
Filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the case—marked CR/297/25—accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of knowingly making statements that could damage the reputation of others. The charges are based on Section 391 of the Penal Code and are punishable under Section 392.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello are listed as key witnesses in the case, both named as nominal complainants. Other witnesses include Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Sandra Duru, along with police investigators Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.
The defamation charge stems from remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct,” has maintained that her suspension was both illegal and retaliatory, particularly following her sexual harassment allegation involving the Senate President.
She has since filed multiple petitions accusing Akpabio of orchestrating efforts to silence her, including an alleged assassination plot. Akpabio has responded by petitioning the Inspector-General of Police, calling for her prosecution for defamation, incitement, and making false accusations.
Yahaya Bello has also filed a complaint over claims that he spearheaded her recall effort under Akpabio’s directive. One of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s more serious accusations was that Bello planned her assassination to look like a local mob attack outside Abuja.
Despite the controversy, the government has proceeded with formal legal action, setting the stage for a politically charged courtroom battle involving some of Nigeria’s most prominent figures.
