Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday following a court summons over alleged criminal defamation.
Her lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed her appearance, stating that although it’s unclear whether the Federal Government plans to arraign her on that day formally, the senator will comply with the court’s directive as a law-abiding citizen.
The charges, filed on May 16, 2025, by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, accuse Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello during a live interview and in a private phone call.
Allegations:
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During an appearance on Politics Today on Channels TV on April 3, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly claimed that Akpabio and Bello discussed plans to assassinate her, 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.”
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In a separate phone conversation on March 27, 2025, with one Dr. Sandra Duru, she allegedly linked Akpabio to organ harvesting, implicating him in the death of Iniubong Umoren, purportedly to aid his ailing wife.
The case, marked CR/297/25, is filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Akpabio, Bello, and four others have been listed as key witnesses.
The charges mark a significant legal battle with potential political and reputational consequences for Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been vocal in her criticism of high-ranking political figures.
