FG arraigns Natasha Akpoti over alleged defamation of Akpabio, Yahaya Bello

The federal government has arraigned Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, over allegations of defamation.

The lawmaker was arraigned on Thursday on three counts, before Chizoba Orji, judge of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court.

In mid May, the federal government instituted a suit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Yahaya Bello, ex-governor of Kogi state, named as the nominal complainants.

In the suit marked CR/297/25 and filed on May 16, 2025, the government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

The offence is punishable under section 392 of the same law.

During today’s proceedings, Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In one of the counts, the Kogi senator was said to have accused Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her.

She was alleged to have made the assasination allegation during a television interview.

She was also accused of having, on or about March 27, 2025, during a two-way telephone conversation with one Sandra C. Duru in Abuja, made certain imputations concerning Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following her seating arrangement altercation with Akpabio.

The lawmaker said she believed her suspension was illegal, unjust and a ploy to silence her.

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She also rejected the senate’s position that she was not suspended over the sexual harassment claim.

Over the weeks that have followed, the Kogi senator has made several allegations and submitted petitions against the senate president.

In April, Akpabio petitioned Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, over the assassination allegation levelled against him by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He demanded an immediate investigation and prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan under relevant laws for “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace”.

Bello had also petitioned the IGP over claims made by the Kogi senator, in which she alleged that the former governor initiated and funded her recall process.