The Nigerian Federal Government has filed a fresh six-count charge against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of cyberbullying and defamation of top political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The new charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, allege that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan intentionally disseminated false and damaging information through digital platforms, accusing Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her. The accusations stem from public statements she made during a campaign speech on April 1, 2025, in Kogi State and in a live interview aired on Channels TV’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
According to court documents marked Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, the senator is said to have claimed that Akpabio directed Bello to ensure her killing occurred in Kogi State to disguise the crime as a local incident. The Federal Government argues that these claims violate provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and have the potential to harm reputations and incite public disorder.
This comes after a previous three-count defamation charge was filed in May by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (suit number CR/1277/25), in which Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of making similar allegations during the same Channels TV interview.
The current case was filed by the Department of Public Prosecutions, led by Director Abubakar Mohammed Babadoko, on behalf of the Attorney-General. The six-count charge includes accusations of cyberstalking, transmitting harmful falsehoods, and inciting public unrest.
Key excerpts from the charge include:
- Count One & Two: Accuse the senator of stating during her April 1 speech in Kogi that Akpabio and Bello plotted her assassination and that the murder should occur in the state to make it appear as the act of locals.
- Count Three & Four: Relate to her statements during the April 3 Politics Today interview, where she reaffirmed the alleged plot, insisting, “It was part of the meeting… to eliminate me.”
- Count Five & Six: Claim she knowingly spread false information with intent to cause a breakdown of law and order, which is punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
The charges have sparked significant public attention due to the high-profile individuals involved and their broader implications for freedom of speech in Nigeria.
Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has condemned the government’s action, arguing that it violates Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constitutional right to free expression. According to Falana, criminal defamation is incompatible with Nigeria’s democratic principles and should be abolished.
“The attempt to criminalise criticism of public office holders is not only outdated but unlawful under Nigeria’s democratic framework,” he said, adding that redress for such claims should be pursued through civil libel suits, not criminal prosecution.
The senator’s legal team, led by West Idahosa (SAN), has declared readiness to contest the charges. “Our client is a law-abiding citizen,” Idahosa said. “She received a court summons and will honour it as required.”
The outcome of this case is expected to set a precedent in Nigeria’s legal landscape, especially regarding how far public office holders can go in using cybercrime laws to shield themselves from criticism in the digital age.
