Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, appeared before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday for her arraignment in a high-profile defamation case filed by the Federal Government. She arrived at the court around 10:30 a.m. ahead of the session, which officially began at 11:00 a.m.
The case, marked CR/297/25, was filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, on behalf of the Federal Government. The charges stem from statements Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made during a live television interview on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” on April 3, 2025, as well as during a private phone call on March 27, 2025. The statements reportedly implicated Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in a plot to assassinate her and conceal it as a mob or local attack.
The Federal Government alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan knowingly made these claims to damage the reputation of the individuals involved. One of the most serious claims includes her assertion that, “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, but I should be killed in Kogi.” In another instance, she is accused of stating that the organs of a deceased woman, Iniubong Umoren, were harvested for Akpabio’s ailing wife—another claim the prosecution says was baseless and defamatory.
The charge sheet lists Akpabio and Bello as the primary complainants, while the prosecution has submitted a list of key witnesses that includes both men, along with police officers, a fellow senator, and Sandra C. Duru, with whom the phone conversation allegedly took place.
Following her arraignment, Justice Chizoba Orji granted the senator ₦50 million bail, with a condition that one surety of reputable standing must be a resident of the Abuja Municipal Area Council and own property there. The judge rejected the prosecution’s request to remand her in custody and adjourned the trial to September 23, 2025, for the commencement of hearings.
This court appearance is the latest development in what has become a highly contentious political and legal battle. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is already challenging her earlier suspension from the Senate, which she claims was politically motivated. Her legal team is also preparing to argue that the defamation case is a continuation of political harassment. Meanwhile, civil society groups and human rights advocates are closely watching the trial, concerned about the implications it could have on freedom of expression and whistleblowing within the political class.
As the trial date approaches, public attention will remain focused on whether the case proceeds as a fair trial or reinforces growing concerns over the use of state power to silence political dissent.
