The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a criminal suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, accusing her of making defamatory statements during a televised interview and a private phone call.
Filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the suit lists Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant. The government alleges that her statements were intended to damage the reputations of key political figures, specifically Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
According to the charge sheet, the senator is being prosecuted under Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. This section addresses knowingly making harmful imputations, and the offense is punishable under Section 392.
The suit stems from an appearance Akpoti-Uduaghan made on a television program on April 3, 2025. During that broadcast, she claimed, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.” She also questioned the motive behind the withdrawal of her security detail, saying, “Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. He then emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.”
She added: “What is important to me is to stay alive, because dead men tell no tales, who is going to get justice for me?” Prosecutors argue that she knew or should have known such comments would harm Senator Akpabio’s reputation.
In a separate count, Akpoti-Uduaghan is also accused of defaming former Governor Bello by making the same assassination claim during the interview, stating: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me. When he met with him, he then emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.”
The case further includes an allegation involving a phone call dated March 27, 2025. During the call with a woman identified as Sandra C. Duru, the senator reportedly made a disturbing accusation regarding a tragic case involving Iniubong Umoren, saying: “That girl that was killed, what’s her name, umm Imoren Iniubong, her organs were actually used for the wife, because the wife was really ill… when they killed the girl, and her organs were used for the wife.”
Authorities say this statement was a direct attack on Akpabio’s character and reputation.
The Federal Government’s legal action is being led by Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF). The list of witnesses for the trial includes both Senate President Akpabio and ex-Governor Bello.
As of now, the court has not set a date for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arraignment
