The Federal Government has initiated a criminal lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, over comments she allegedly made during a live television broadcast.
Filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court under case number CR/297/25, the charges accuse Akpoti-Uduaghan of making statements with the intent—or with reason to believe—they would damage the reputation of another individual. The charge is based on Section 391 of the Penal Code and carries penalties outlined in Section 392.
The controversy centers on remarks made by the senator during her April 3 appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Notably, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello are named both as witnesses and nominal complainants in the case. Other listed witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and two police investigators, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.
This lawsuit comes on the heels of escalating tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership. She was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct during a seating dispute involving Akpabio.
The senator rejected the basis of her suspension, calling it politically driven and linked to her earlier claims of sexual harassment within the Senate.
Following her suspension, she filed a series of petitions against Akpabio, alleging threats to her life, including an assassination plot allegedly orchestrated through Yahaya Bello.
In retaliation, both Akpabio and Bello petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of defamation, false allegations, incitement, and actions capable of disturbing public peace.
What you should know
The criminal case against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is more than a legal proceeding—it marks a deepening rift within Nigeria’s legislative structure.
Politically, it reflects a troubling trend of criminalizing dissent in high office. While the government frames the case as a matter of legal accountability, critics may view it as a calculated effort to silence a vocal opposition figure.
Her allegations against prominent political figures and the swift legal pushback highlight the tense interplay of power, gender, and political rivalry in Nigeria’s Senate.
The outcome of this case could influence how dissenting voices are treated within the ruling elite moving forward.
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