Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is set to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday following a summons issued in connection with criminal defamation charges filed by the Federal Government.
Her lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed her scheduled court appearance in an interview on Sunday, emphasizing that Akpoti-Uduaghan would comply fully with the court’s directive as a law-abiding citizen. However, he expressed uncertainty over whether the government intended to proceed with her arraignment on the day.
The charges, filed on May 16, 2025, by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, accuse the senator of making defamatory statements about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello during a live broadcast and a private telephone conversation.
According to the suit marked CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan is alleged to have claimed, during her April 3 appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, that Akpabio and Bello held a meeting to plan her assassination.
“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 charge reads.
In addition, the government cites a March 27 phone conversation with one Dr. Sandra Duru, in which Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly linked Akpabio to organ harvesting involving the late Iniubong Umoren, purportedly for the benefit of his ailing wife.
The Federal Government has listed Akpabio, Bello, and four others as key witnesses in the case.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Idahosa maintained that the senator’s legal team is prepared to contest the charges in court. “If the case is called tomorrow, we will respond accordingly with our client,” he said.
On the question of arraignment, Idahosa noted that they had been informed of amended charges but were unsure what direction the prosecution would take. “They’ve amended the charges once and could do so again—it’s their decision,” he added.
Dismissing calls for public protests, the Senior Advocate stated that their focus remains strictly legal. “Protests are the domain of civil societies… Our duty is to challenge what we believe are contestable charges.”
The case continues to generate attention, especially in light of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing suspension and the high-profile individuals implicated.
