Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, appeared in court on Thursday, June 19, 2025, to face defamation charges brought against her by the Federal Government.
She was arraigned before Justice Chizoba Orji at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The case involves three separate charges relating to alleged defamatory statements she reportedly made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
According to the prosecution, the Senator accused both men of plotting to have her assassinated.
The alleged statements were made during a television interview and in a phone conversation with another individual.
Security was tight around the courthouse, and the proceedings drew significant attention, with Senator Natasha’s husband, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, and activist Aisha Yesufu among those present to support her.
The charges are based on Section 391 of the Penal Code, which deals with making statements that could harm someone’s reputation, and are punishable under Section 392.
The Federal Government alleges that Senator Natasha made these statements knowing they could damage the reputations of Akpabio and Bello.
Prosecutors claim that Natasha stated in a TV interview that a discussion had taken place between the Senate President and Yahaya Bello about “eliminating” her, and that Akpabio had deliberately withdrawn her security to make her vulnerable to attacks.
She allegedly claimed he insisted she should be killed in Kogi State.
The charge sheet also references a phone call on March 27, 2025, in which she reportedly repeated similar accusations during a conversation with a woman named Sandra C. Duru.
Both Akpabio and Bello are listed as witnesses and are expected to testify in the ongoing trial.
