News

Senator Natasha Reacts To FG’s Lawsuit Filed Against Her

BySodiq Lawal

PublishedMay 24, 2025

The suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has reacted to the summons in the case filed against her by the Federal Government at the Federal Capital Territory High Court last week.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, the Federal Government filed the suit, marked CR/297/25, over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 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.

Among the witnesses listed to testify during the trial were Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Others include Asuquo Ekpenyong, a senator; Sandra Duru; Maya Iliya, investigating police officers; and Abdulhafiz Garba, investigating police officers.

In response to the summons, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), representing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, issued a statement on Friday, confirming receipt of the summons.

The statement emphasised that the legal team is preparing all “factual and statutory defenses” available to the senator.

“At about 2:30 pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement read.

“We received the said information on her behalf through a letter of authority duly issued and filed in the court’s registry. The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial,” the statement continued.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” after a heated altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over her seating arrangements.

The lawmaker has consistently described her suspension as illegal and unjust, claiming that it was part of a deliberate attempt to silence her.

In the aftermath of her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed multiple petitions and levelled new allegations against Akpabio.

In April, the Senate President petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, accusing the senator of defamation, false accusations, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

Additionally, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello also petitioned the IGP, alleging that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims about a plot to assassinate her were part of a wider conspiracy involving Akpabio.

The senator had alleged that Bello was behind the move to recall her from the Senate and accused him of working on Akpabio’s orders to orchestrate her assassination, which she claimed would appear as a mob or local attack outside Abuja.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.