FG Charges Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan With Criminal Defamation

The Federal Government has filed a criminal suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live television interview.

The suit marked CR/297/25, filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, lists Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant.

Though the full details of the charges remain unknown, count one accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory allegations during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on April 3, 2025.

She is accused of making statements “knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, in violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 392.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who are identified as nominal complainants, will testify against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Other witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and two police investigators: Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has been caught up in controversies since her suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, over alleged “gross misconduct” related to a heated dispute over seating arrangements involving Senate President Akpabio.

She, however, insists her suspension was unjust, politically motivated, and aimed at silencing her.

Following her suspension, the senator intensified her public criticism of Akpabio, submitting petitions and making a series of allegations, including claims of sexual harassment and a planned assassination.

In response, Akpabio petitioned Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, seeking Akpoti-Uduaghan’s prosecution for criminal defamation, incitement, and false accusation

Bello also petitioned the police, denying her claims that he acted on Akpabio’s orders to orchestrate her assassination through a staged mob attack outside Abuja. He also denied funding efforts to recall her from the Senate.

FG Charges Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan With Criminal Defamation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper