…Akpabio, Yahaya Bello Named as Witnesses
The Federal Government has filed a three-count criminal charge against suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The case, filed by the Department of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, is before Justice C. N. Oji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
According to the charge, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made statements calculated to damage reputations, in violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 392. The law prescribes up to two years in prison, a fine, or both for anyone found guilty of defamation.
The first count pertains to comments the senator made during a live interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on April 3, 2025. In the interview, she accused Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her, saying: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night… to eliminate me.”
She further alleged that the withdrawal of her security detail following her suspension from the Senate was a calculated move to leave her vulnerable, insinuating a coordinated attempt on her life.
The second count also stems from the same interview, where she claimed the assassination plan was to be executed in Kogi State, with the knowledge of former Governor Bello. She said she had reported the threats to the Inspector General of Police and made attempts to alert other security agencies.
In the third count, the Federal Government accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making a grave allegation during a phone call with one Sandra C. Duru on March 27, 2025. In the conversation, she allegedly linked Akpabio to a real-life murder case involving organ harvesting — a claim described by prosecutors as unfounded, malicious, and capable of inciting public outrage while eroding confidence in the leadership of the National Assembly.
The prosecution maintained that her statements were not only defamatory but posed serious threats to national peace, security, and democratic stability.
Justice Oji has directed that court documents be served on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan ahead of the next hearing date.
