By Ayomide Otitoju
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has been arraigned before Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on a three-count charge of alleged criminal defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges, filed by the Federal Government, stem from statements allegedly made by the lawmaker during a television interview and a private telephone conversation, in which she accused the two political figures of conspiring to assassinate her.
According to the prosecution, Akpoti-Uduaghan violated Section 391 of the Penal Code by “making imputations knowing or having reason to believe that such imputations will harm the reputation of a person.” The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
One of the charges cites a televised remark in which the senator alleged that, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.” She also questioned why her security detail had been withdrawn, describing it as a deliberate act to expose her to danger.
A second charge references a conversation with one Sandra C. Duru on March 27, 2025, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly repeated the claims.
The court session was heavily attended, with a visible security presence and notable figures including her husband, former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, and activist Aisha Yesufu in attendance.
