By Babs Oyetoro
The Federal Government has filed a three-count criminal charge against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over what it describes as malicious and defamatory allegations against Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges, brought under Charge No. CR/1277/25 were filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, before Justice C. N. Oji by the Department of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making public statements deemed injurious to the reputations of the two prominent political figures in violation of Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code. The government contends that her comments were intended to defame and incite public mistrust.
The first count stems from an April 3, 2025 interview granted on Channels Television’s political programme, Politics Today, where Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged a plot to assassinate her. Responding to a question from anchor Seun Okinbaloye, she stated:
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night… to eliminate me.”
She further suggested that the Senate’s withdrawal of her official security following her suspension was a deliberate move to render her vulnerable to attacks.
The second count centres on additional comments made during the same interview, where she implicated former Governor Yahaya Bello directly, claiming that plans to carry out the assassination would take place in Kogi State.
“A week and a few days later, when (Akpabio) met with (Bello), he then emphasised that I should be killed… I delayed going home because I had to put some measures on the ground,” she said.
She reported the threats to the Inspector General of Police and alerted relevant security agencies.
The third count involves a disturbing allegation made during a private phone conversation on March 27, 2025, between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and one Sandra C. Duru.
In the call, she allegedly implicated Senate President Akpabio in the 2021 murder of Iniobong Umoren, a case that drew national outrage.
According to court filings, the Senator said, “There was this girl that was killed… Iniobong Umoren… her organs were used for (Akpabio’s) wife because the wife was ill three years ago…”
Prosecutors argue that this claim is not only defamatory but reckless and inflammatory, capable of inciting public unrest and eroding confidence in national leadership.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was not present in court when the charges were filed, having reportedly refused to receive service from court bailiffs.
Justice Oji has ordered that all lawful means be employed to ensure she is properly served before the next adjourned date.
The case has already triggered divided reactions. Supporters of Akpabio and Bello see the charges as a justified response to defamatory propaganda. At the same time, civil society groups and some voices of opposition have expressed concern about a possible crackdown on dissent.
Legal analyst Dr Modupe Folarin noted, “There is a thin line between political speech and criminal defamation. This case will test the resilience of our legal institutions to balance accountability with freedom of expression.”
As legal proceedings progress, the political stakes remain high. The trial could reshape the trajectory of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rising political profile or amplify her image as a victim of political suppression.
