The Federal Government has arraigned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on a three-count charge over alleged false accusations aimed at defaming Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges stem from public statements made by the senator, including a televised interview in which she claimed that Akpabio and Bello had conspired in a meeting to eliminate her. One of the counts specifically accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of saying: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier today, accompanied by her husband, a former Minister of Education; Oby Ezekwesili, a former minister and vocal advocate for good governance; prominent activist Aisha Yesufu; and a crowd of supporters.
The Federal Government alleges that her claims constitute imputation intended to cause harm, reputational damage, and public incitement against the Senate President and the former governor.
The arraignment has sparked fresh political tension, with supporters describing the charges as an attempt to silence dissent, while legal observers await how the court will interpret the senator’s statements under Nigeria’s defamation laws.
The court proceedings have been adjourned until later this week for the commencement of the trial.
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