Embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi Central, has expressed readiness to counter criminal suit against her with “factual and statutory defences.”
Last Friday, Dr. Ohiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, of lead counsel to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, confirmed receipt of the summons filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
Marked as CR/297/25, the Federal Government of Nigeria instituted the suit on May 16, 2025, over comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on April 3.
It is understood that the charges derive strength from Section 391 of the Penal Code, which deals with defamation and imputations intended to harm reputation.
Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.”
The prosecution lists Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya, and Abdulhafiz Garba as key witnesses—both identified as investigating police officers.
In a statement, Dr. West-Idahosa disclosed that the legal team had received the court filings on behalf of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The legal firm stated: “We received the court notice this (Friday) afternoon on behalf of our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The charges levelled against her are rooted in alleged defamatory statements against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio
“We shall take all necessary legal steps to defend our client. We intend to adequately prepare with all relevant facts and present the same before the court during the trial.”
