Defamation: Sen. Natasha to Appear in Court Tuesday

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, following a court summons in connection with criminal defamation charges filed by the Federal Government.

Her lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed the development on Sunday. 

While he noted that it remains unclear whether the government intends to formally arraign her during Tuesday’s proceedings, he assured that his client, as a law-abiding citizen, would comply fully with the court’s directive.

The Federal Government, acting through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, has filed a case alleging that Akpoti-Uduaghan made defamatory remarks about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The charge, dated May 16, 2025, and filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court under suit number CR/297/25, accuses the senator of making the alleged statements during an April 3 appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme. 

During the broadcast, she allegedly claimed that Akpabio and Bello discussed plans to have her assassinated.

According to the court documents, she was quoted as saying: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night — to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi.”

The government is also accusing her of defamation in a separate incident — a private phone call allegedly made on March 27, 2025. 

In the conversation with one Dr. Sandra Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan purportedly linked Akpabio to organ harvesting involving the late Iniubong Umoren, claiming it was for the benefit of Akpabio’s ailing wife.

Both Akpabio and Bello, along with four other individuals, are listed as witnesses in the case.

Speaking to The PUNCH in a phone interview, Idahosa reaffirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team is fully prepared to contest the charges.

“If the matter comes up tomorrow, we’ll be in court with our client. As legal practitioners, we are not concerned with protests or public opinion. Our role is to respond to the allegations through proper legal channels,” he said.

He added that Akpoti-Uduaghan has no intention of ignoring the court’s summons. 

“She’s a responsible citizen. We’ve accepted the summons and will honour it. Only institutions that have no regard for the rule of law would disregard a court order, and she certainly is not among them.”

When asked about the possibility of arraignment, Idahosa responded, “We’re unsure of their plans. We have seen amended charges, but the government could amend them again — it’s entirely up to them.”