Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Husband, Oby Ezekwesili, Aisha Yesufu Arrive FCT High Court Over Defamation Charges
By peterside Rejoice Eneky
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday arrived at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama for her arraignment on charges of defamation and spreading false information.
She was accompanied by her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and activist, Aisha Yesufu, in a strong show of solidarity.
The Federal Government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations that she falsely claimed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello plotted to assassinate her.
The charges, marked CR/297/25, were filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. In the three-count charge, the prosecution alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan made the false claim during a live appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on April 3, 2025.
According to the charge, the lawmaker made an “imputation, knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.”
The Federal Government stated that the statements she made amounted to an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code and are punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
Count one of the charge accuses the lawmaker of knowingly spreading false information intended to tarnish the image of high-ranking politicians. The charge alleges that the false claims posed a reputational threat to the complainants and could incite public distrust.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently under a six-month suspension from the Senate, is the sole defendant in the case.
Listed among the prosecution witnesses are Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello, who are cited as nominal complainants. Other witnesses include two police investigators Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and one Sandra Duru.
Security was tight around the court premises as journalists, civil society members, and supporters of the embattled lawmaker gathered to monitor proceedings.
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