FG Arraigns Natasha Akpoti For Alleged Defamation Against Akpabio And Yahaya Bello

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, appeared before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday to face defamation charges brought by the Federal Government.

The case, heard by Justice Chizoba Orji, involves three separate charges linked to comments the senator allegedly made about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Tight security surrounded the court premises during the proceedings, which were attended by notable figures such as her husband, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, activist Aisha Yesufu, and a large number of supporters.

According to the Federal Government, Akpoti-Uduaghan knowingly made statements that could damage the reputations of both Akpabio and Bello.

The charges are based on Section 391 of the Penal Code, which addresses harmful imputations, and are punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

One of the allegations stems from an interview in which the senator accused Akpabio and Bello of conspiring to have her killed.

In the interview, she reportedly said the two held a meeting where such plans were discussed and claimed that Akpabio ordered her security details withdrawn to make her vulnerable.

She allegedly stated, “Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. He then emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.”

A second charge was tied to a phone conversation she reportedly had on March 27, 2025, with one Sandra C. Duru, where similar claims about Akpabio were allegedly repeated.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of “Making an imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under Section 392 of the same Law.

Both Godswill Akpabio and Yahaya Bello are expected to testify during the trial.

KanyiDaily recalls that on Monday, the court dismissed a request by the Federal Government to order the arrest of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she failed to attend her defamation trial.