The Federal Government has filed a lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging defamatory comments during a live TV interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello are listed as witnesses. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments are said to have harmed reputations, violating Section 391 of the Penal Code.
The lawsuit follows a series of confrontations between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio, including her Senate suspension and accusations against the Senate President. Akpabio and Bello have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, demanding investigation and prosecution for alleged defamation and incitement.
Other witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and police officers Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba. The case is marked CR/297/25 and was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Documents obtained by Latestnews Nigeria reveals that among the listed witnesses for the prosecution are Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Other witnesses expected to testify include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, two investigating police officers, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.
Count one of the suit alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan made the defamatory remarks during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, aired on April 3, 2025.
It was gathered that Akpabio and Bello are listed as the nominal complainants in the case.
This court action follows a series of confrontations between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio, which escalated after her suspension from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct” following a dispute over seating arrangements.
The senator had described her suspension as illegal, unjust, and an attempt to silence her, rejecting claims that it wasn’t linked to her previous sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President.
Since then, she has made several accusations and filed petitions against Akpabio.
In April, Akpabio petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding an investigation and prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged criminal defamation, incitement, false accusations, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Similarly, former Governor Bello also petitioned the police chief over allegations made by the senator, which claimed he funded and organised a plot to recall her from the Senate and allegedly acted on Akpabio’s instructions to plan her assassination outside Abuja in a staged local attack.
With this gang up Natasha seems to be in trouble as the Federal Government has take up the persecution of the light skinned senator on behalf of the number three citizen in the country, Senator Godswill Akpabio.