Natasha Akpoti vs Nigerian Senate: Lawmaker Slams FG For Alleged Abuse of Power, Details Emerge
- Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, lamented that the petition alleging threats to her life by the Senator Godswill Akpabio, was ignored
- Akpoti-Uduaghan raised the alarm over the alleged selective enforcement of justice, which she said violates her constitutional rights
- The senator’s defence team urged Nigerian courts to dismiss, at the preliminary stage, the cases brought by APC members like Godswill Akpabio and Yahaya Bello
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has launched a legal offensive against the federal government of Nigeria.
As reported by Independent Newspaper, Senator Natasha described the criminal defamation charges filed against her as attempted political persecution.
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng recalls that earlier in 2025, the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government filed a three-count criminal charge against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly defaming Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the immediate past governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello. Messrs Akpabio and Bello are chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while Akpoti-Uguaghan is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The charges brought through the office of Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, were filed at the high court of the federal capital territory (FCT).
Filed by the Department of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the AGF, the suit accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making statements intended to harm reputations.
Senator Akpoti tackles Nigerian authorities
But on Monday, September 22, Vanguard newspaper stated that filing preliminary objections before both the high court of the FCT and the federal high court, the senator’s legal team insisted that the prosecutions are frivolous, unconstitutional, and designed to intimidate opposition voices.
Source: Facebook
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's legal team, comprising Professor Roland Otaru (SAN); Dr. E. West-Idahosa (SAN); J.J. Usman (SAN); and M.J. Numa (SAN), argued that the prosecutions are aimed at shielding the private reputations of the complainants rather than protecting public interest or national security. Her counsel reportedly submitted exhibits demonstrating that the statements fall within public discourse and media commentary.
Central to the senator’s objection is the argument that the AGF lacks the right to prosecute defamation on behalf of private individuals.
Natasha's lawyers asserted that defamation matters are inherently civil in nature and that attempting to criminalise them constitutes intimidation, suppresses free speech, and represents a misuse of the criminal justice system.
Read more on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio saga:
- Natasha gives senate ultimatum to facilitate her resumption or face legal action
- Natasha saga: NLC president under fire over comment on Kogi senator’s suspension
Natasha Akpoti debunks fake news
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan denied receiving N500 million from Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan denied ever receiving such funds from the senate president.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the claim is a complete fabrication designed to mislead the public and damage her reputation.
Source: Legit.ng
