Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Arraigned for Alleged Defamation of Akpabio, Yahaya Bello

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, appeared on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, where she is set to be arraigned on defamation charges.

The charges were brought against her by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, acting on behalf of the Federal Government.

In the suit, marked CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making defamatory remarks against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

According to court documents, the Federal Government alleges that the senator publicly claimed Bello and Akpabio conspired to assassinate her. These statements were reportedly made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025, and in a separate phone conversation with Sandra C. Duru on March 27, 2025.

Prosecutors argue that Akpoti-Uduaghan knowingly made the claims with the intent to damage the reputation of both men.

Senate President Akpabio, ex-Governor Bello, and four other individuals have been named as witnesses in the case.

The proceedings are expected to continue with the senator’s formal plea.