By Prosper Mene
The legal team of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has confirmed receipt of a formal summons from the Federal Government in a defamation suit filed against her, involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The team, led by Michael Numa (SAN), stated they are prepared to present a vigorous defense in court at the appropriate time.
The suit, filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court (CR/297/25), accuses Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory remarks during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025. The Federal Government alleges that the senator claimed Akpabio and Bello plotted to assassinate her, statements deemed harmful to their reputations under Section 391 of the Penal Code, CAP 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offense is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers confirmed receiving the court documents on May 23, 2025, and expressed confidence in their defense strategy. “We have received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions containing three counts bordering on allegations that our client made imputations which she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio,” the statement read. “We will present our defenses in court with factual evidence at the appropriate time.”
The legal team also addressed the broader context, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, for “gross misconduct” following a seating arrangement dispute with Akpabio, has fueled tensions. The senator has maintained that her suspension was politically motivated to silence her and has filed a separate suit challenging it, with a ruling expected on June 27, 2025.
The Federal Government has listed Akpabio, Bello, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya, and Abdulhafiz Garba as witnesses in the defamation case. The allegations stem from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that Akpabio instructed Bello to orchestrate her assassination in a manner that would appear as a mob attack, as well as earlier accusations of sexual harassment against her.
This legal battle has drawn significant attention, with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s team accusing Akpabio of attempting to suppress her voice through judicial processes. They argue that her right to free speech, including political satire, is being unfairly targeted. The case underscores broader issues of gender dynamics in Nigerian politics, as highlighted by North Central women’s groups calling for greater protections for women in political roles.
As the court date approaches, the nation awaits a high-profile legal showdown that could have far-reaching implications for political discourse and accountability in Nigeria.
