Suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is expected to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, following a court summons.
Her lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed this on Sunday, though he noted uncertainty regarding whether the Federal Government intends to formally arraign her at that time.
Regardless, he affirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan would comply with the court’s directives, describing her as a law-abiding citizen.
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed criminal charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging she made defamatory statements during a live television interview and a private phone call.
According to court documents filed on May 16, 2025 (Charge No. CR/297/25), the charges stem from remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
She reportedly alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello discussed plans to assassinate her.
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night — to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi,” the charge quotes her as saying.
In addition, the government alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan made further defamatory claims during a private phone conversation on March 27, 2025, with a woman identified as Dr Sandra Duru.
In the conversation, she reportedly linked Akpabio to organ harvesting involving the late Iniubong Umoren, supposedly for the benefit of his ailing wife.
Akpabio, Bello, and four others are listed as key witnesses in the case.
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Speaking to reporters, Idahosa said the legal team is prepared to respond as needed.
“If the case is called tomorrow, we will respond accordingly with our client,” he stated. “The issue of protest is irrelevant to us — we are lawyers, and our focus is on defending charges we believe can be contested. Protests are the concern of civil societies, not ours.”
He emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan respects judicial processes: “She will appear in court as summoned. Only institutions that disrespect court orders would do otherwise — and she doesn’t fall into that category.”
On whether she will be arraigned on Tuesday, Idahosa said, “We don’t know. We’ve seen a notice of amended charges, but we’re unclear about the government’s next move. They’ve amended the charges once and could do so again. That’s within their purview.”
