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The Federal Government, on Thursday, June 19th arraigned suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan, before the FCT High Court in Abuja on charges of alleged defamation. The charges relate to claims made by the Senator accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her.
Appearing before Justice Chizoba Orji, Akpoti‑Uduaghan was charged with three counts bordering on alleged defamation and making statements capable of harming the reputation of both Akpabio and Bello. According to the charge sheet, one statement attributed to the Senator was: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.” She also allegedly stated, “Let’s ask the Senate President why he withdrew 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.”
The charges state that these remarks violated Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation, making them punishable under Section 392. The Federal Government has listed both Akpabio and Bello as potential witnesses in the trial.
Security was tightened around the court as supporters of the embattled Senator, including her husband Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, and activist Aisha Yesufu, turned out in solidarity. Akpoti‑Uduaghan is yet to issue a formal statement, and proceedings have been adjourned until a later date.
