Accuser Turns Defendant As Natasha’s Offensive Against Akpabio Meets State Power
What began as a lone senator’s dramatic stand against the most powerful lawmaker in the country has taken a jarring new turn, as the federal government has stepped squarely into the fray with a suit against her.
The Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) has filed a criminal defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, effectively turning the tide in a sexual allegation drama that has made the news for months.
The suit, filed on May 16 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja (Suit No. CR/297/25), accuses Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of falsely and maliciously accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual assault and conspiracy to assassinate her—charges that now carry heavy legal and political implications.
From Accuser To Defendant
Until recently, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the outspoken senator representing Kogi Central, appeared to be winning both public sympathy and legal relief. In a string of televised interviews, public statements, and legal filings, she accused Akpabio of sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions and conspiring with former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed.
“I stand by what I said,” she declared during an April 3 interview on Channels TV. “In respect to the meeting or discussion Akpabio had [with] Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.”
The senator further alleged that Akpabio deliberately withdrew her security detail to make her vulnerable. “Stripping me of my security because I am suspended illegally actually just positions me for attacks,” she said, describing herself as “a high-profile, vulnerable individual” due to years of violent political targeting.
Weeks before the televised accusation, she had, during a political rally in Kogi State, accused Akpabio of funding a plot to recall her from the Senate and even arranging for her assassination.
“The meeting was in two folds; he told [Bello] to commence my recall. He was going to fund it. Of course, money changed hands that day. The second thing was that he should kill me,” she alleged.
But those very words now form the foundation of the federal criminal defamation case against her, with Akpabio reportedly listed as a witness in the suit.
The Senate President has denied all allegations, calling them “false”, “malicious”, and “a complete fabrication”.
Bello, who was also implicated in the alleged plot, filed a petition with the Inspector General of Police, demanding that the senator be invited to substantiate her allegations.
Bello called her claims “reckless and inciting”, while Akpabio’s camp insists they amount to character assassination of the highest order.
Unexpected Legal Gambit
While many expected the feud to remain within the purview of civil litigation or political manoeuvring since it revolves around sexual allegations and seat changes, the Federal Government’s decision to prosecute the senator criminally was an unexpected escalation.
Sources close to her camp described the move as “an iron-fisted play from the deep pages of the political playbook”.
One insider told THE WHISTLER: “This was not on our radar. It came suddenly, and it has thrown the entire camp into a defensive crouch.”
Public reaction has ranged from shock to outrage. Critics question why the state is intervening in what they see as a personal legal dispute, while others argue that the state has a duty to preserve the integrity of public office against “unfounded and inciting” claims.
Legal Crossfire And A Defiant Senate
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s troubles deepened when the Senate suspended her for what it called “unruly behaviour”, particularly over a controversy involving her seat change on the floor of the red chamber. Despite securing a court injunction preventing her suspension, the Senate refused to honour it, citing its status as an independent arm of government.
“The Senate is not subordinate to the judiciary in the exercise of its internal rules,” said a spokesperson for the Senate. “Her conduct was disruptive and unbecoming of a lawmaker.”
In response, Natasha filed contempt proceedings against the Senate—proceedings still pending in court.
Akpabio, for his part, also sought court orders restraining her from making further public allegations. A contempt hearing involving both parties has been scheduled.
Moment Of Reckoning
Legal experts say the federal suit against Natasha may be the most consequential chapter yet in this saga. “This is no longer just a political battle. It’s now a test of how Nigeria balances free speech with the responsibilities of public office,” says Dr Chinedu Ekwueme, a constitutional lawyer.
If convicted of criminal defamation, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan could face prison time, fines, or both—an outcome that would not only end her senatorial career but also send a chilling message to political whistleblowers.
Efforts to get a response from the senator’s team have so far been unsuccessful. For now, she remains silent in the face of mounting legal pressure, a stark contrast to the confident voice that once dominated TV screens and rallies.
Accuser Turns Defendant As Natasha’s Offensive Against Akpabio Meets State Power is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
