The Federal Government has filed a fresh criminal charge against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, intensifying the legal battle surrounding the embattled lawmaker.
The new charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, was lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 22, 2025 — barely weeks after a similar charge (CR/297/25) was instituted at the FCT High Court.
Both cases stem from the same set of comments allegedly made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which the government claims defamed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
While the FCT High Court case is based on Section 392 of the Penal Code (criminal defamation), the fresh Federal High Court case is framed under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Act, 2024 (as amended). The government alleges that the senator’s online statements could “damage the public image” of both Akpabio and Bello.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied all allegations, branding them as politically motivated efforts aimed at silencing opposition voices.
“This is a textbook example of forum shopping,” a senior legal expert commented. “You cannot prosecute the same offence in two courts hoping for a conviction in either.”
The senator, who the FCT High Court granted bail on June 19, 2025, is scheduled for arraignment at the Federal High Court on June 30, 2025.
Stay tuned for further developments on this unfolding legal drama.
