By Charles Maduka
The Federal Government has filed a defamation suit against suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over statements she allegedly made during a live broadcast.
The case, marked CR/297/25, was filed on May 16 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Akpoti-Uduaghan is the sole defendant in the suit.
According to the charge, the senator knowingly made imputations likely to damage reputations, a violation under Section 391 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 392.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have been listed as witnesses in the trial.
The government alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan made the defamatory statements during an April 3 appearance on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.
Other witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and investigating officers Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba. Akpabio and Bello are named as nominal complainants.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 over a seating disagreement with Akpabio. She described her suspension as unjust and politically motivated.
Following her suspension, the senator made several public allegations and petitions against Akpabio. In response, Akpabio petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging an investigation into her claims, which he labeled as criminal defamation and incitement.
Bello also filed a petition, denying her allegations that he orchestrated a plot to recall and assassinate her on Akpabio’s instructions.
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