Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has advised Senate President Godswill Akpabio to seek redress in court over alleged defamation by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, instead of involving the Nigeria Police.
Falana’s statement, issued on Friday, comes in response to a petition submitted by Akpabio to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun. In the petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio requested the police to investigate and prosecute Akpoti-Uduaghan for what he described as “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.”
The Senate President had accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making a defamatory statement at a rally in Kogi State on April 1, alleging that he was linked to an assassination plot.
In addition to submitting the petition to the IGP, Akpabio copied the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, demanding legal action against the embattled senator.
However, Falana argued that the matter is civil in nature and should not be criminalised. He cited a landmark ruling from the Court of Appeal in the case of Arthur Nwankwo v The State (1985), where it was held that public officials must not abuse state power to suppress criticism or settle political scores.
“The Nigeria Police Force should not be asked to criminalise a civil dispute that is ‘politically motivated,’” Falana stated. “Where a writer exceeds the bounds, there should be a resort to the law of libel where the plaintiff must of necessity put his character and reputation in issue.”
He emphasized that public office holders should be tolerant of criticism and seek legal redress through appropriate channels when necessary.
“In view of the above epochal words of the Court of Appeal, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, should be advised to institute a libel suit in the appropriate High Court if he feels defamed by the statement credited to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at a political rally,” Falana concluded.
The development adds another layer to the political tensions between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has remained vocal despite her suspension from the Senate.
