Defamation: Natasha appeared in court on Tuesday

The suspected senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will appear before the High Court of the Federal Capital City in Abuja on Tuesday to defend themselves on charges of defamation proposed by the Federal Government.

The main advisor to Akpoti-Uuduaghan, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed the appearance of the planned senator in an interview on Sunday.

However, he noted the uncertainty whether the federal government intended to continue with formal charges during the Tuesday session.

“We don’t know. We see a notification about the allegations that are changed. We are not sure what they want to do,” Idahosa said. “They have changed the accusations once before and might do it again. That is in their rights.”

This case, marked CR/297/25 and submitted on May 16, 2025, accused Akpoti-Uduaghan made a statement of slandering during direct television performances and personal phone calls. Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, led this case on behalf of the Federal Government.

According to the accusation sheet, the accusation came from an interview given by the Senator on Today’s politics, a television program channel, on April 3. During the broadcast, Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly accused that the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello had conspired to eliminate it.

“It was part of the meeting, the discussion conducted by Akpabio with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me … he then stressed that I had to be killed at Kogi,” he said as quoted.

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In addition, the prosecutor accused that in a private telephone conversation with a woman identified as Dr. Sandra Duru, who was recorded on March 27, Akpoti-Uuduaghan associated Akpabio with organ trading involving the late Umoren, showed his motive to help his sick wife.

Akpabio, Bello, and four other people have been registered as witnesses to prosecution in high profile cases, which according to observers can have broad implications for political speeches and accountability in Nigeria.

Apart from the gravity of the accusation, the Akpoti-Uuduaghan legal team insisted he would fully comply with the judicial procedure.

“Our clients are citizens who obey law. Why isn’t he in court? This is a call that we have made to respect,” Idahosa said, giving aside advice that Akpoti-Uduaghan might avoid trial. “Only disrespectful institutions that ignore court orders that failed to emerge and he was not in that category.”

When asked about the flow under politics around this case, Idahosa was measured. “We don’t care about public protests or protests. We are lawyers. Our role is to respond to accusations and defend our clients.”

The court is expected to determine on Tuesday whether to continue with the indictment or schedule further hearing.