Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has filed criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of criminal defamation over allegations made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The case, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, includes a witness list featuring high-profile political figures and law enforcement officials.
According to court documents obtained by SaharaReporters, the charges stem from comments made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025. During the broadcast, the senator alleged that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her and were behind the withdrawal of her security detail.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as the complainant, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is named as the sole defendant. The charges are based on Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, with penalties outlined under Section 392.
In the interview, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stood by her claims, stating: “I do stand by what I said. In respect to the meeting or discussion Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.”
The government has named six witnesses to support its case, including:
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, listed as a nominal complainant, expected to testify on his knowledge of the matter.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, also a nominal complainant.
Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, whom the senator claimed drove Bello to a meeting allegedly connected to the plot.
Dr. Sandra C. Duru, a U.S.-based individual with purported knowledge of the situation.
ACP Maya Iliya and SP Abdulhafiz Garba, both officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit involved in the investigation.
The senator had previously made similar accusations during a political rally in Kogi State, alleging that efforts were being made by powerful individuals in Abuja to orchestrate her assassination using local proxies.
“The Senate President first reached out to Governor Ododo to recall me… So he turned to Yahaya Bello,” she said at the rally. “Akpabio was not satisfied. He then called for Yahaya Bello… The second thing was that he should kill me.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further alleged that Akpabio instructed Bello to carry out the alleged plot in Kogi State to make it appear as though local actors were responsible.
While the senator claims to have alerted the police to the alleged threats, the current legal proceedings mark the first official step by the federal government to challenge her statements through the courts.
The case is expected to generate significant public attention as it progresses, given the political stature of those involved.