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[Press Release] The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (Huriwa) has condemned the recent accusations of criminal defamation presented against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Auduaghan in the strongest possible terms by the Prosecutor General of the Federation (AGF), describing the move as “a motivated political abuse of power that underestimates the constitutional democracy and the repressions of the repressions”.
In a strongly formulated declaration issued in Abuja on Sunday, the important group of rights expressed serious concern for the cause presented by the AGF at the Alta Corte Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing the action as a direct attack on freedom of expression and the rule of law.
The federal government, through the AGF office, had slammed an accusation of three counts against Senator Akpoti-Auduaghan for his comments on April 3 on the television of the channels, which presumably defamed the president of the Senate Godswill Akpabio.
The cause, marked CR/297/25, is based on section 391 of the penal code, which deals with defamation. However, Huriwa described the invocation of the archaic provision as “legally repugnant, ethically indefensible and constitutionally disgusting”. According to Huriwa, the accusation tries to criminalize the political discourse and silence a bold female voice in opposition policy.
“This parody of justice and the improper use of the judicial power by the prosecutor general is not only shameful: he declared illegal and unconstitutional illegal,” said the national coordinator of Huriwa, his partner Emmanuel Onwubiko. “It is profoundly worrying that while the attorney general and the presidency have maintained the deafening silence when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Auduaghan took on sexual harassment and intimidation within the corridors of power, suddenly found their voice to pursue it to have pushed her to speak.”
Section 15 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), which states: “The state will abolish all the practices and abuse of corrupt power”, was cited by Huriwa as a constitutional base against this brazen impunity.
“This government is in violation of section 15 (5) of the Constitution. Rather than abolishing the abuse of power, the AGF has become the face.
Huriwa also questioned the times and intention of the cause. “This action smells of revenge, despair and political repression. Natasha Akpoti-Auduaghan is not aimed at not because he said lies, but because he dared to say uncomfortable truths about those who are in power,” said the group of rights.
“The list of the witnesses of the accusation-the president of President Akpabio, the former governor Yahaya Bello and others strictly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) -rongza the partisan nature of the procedure. What we are seeing is not justice, but a hunt for political orchetta policy from the highest levels of government,” he said.
The group recalled that Natasha Akpoti-Auduaghan, a senator of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) and frank critical of the Federal Government led by the APC, has previously raised harmful accusations against the key actors in the corridors of power, including corruption, corruption, the intimidation of the state and sexual evils, no investigated by relevant authorities.
“It is a shameful irony that AGF and the presidency have not considered it appropriate to investigate its requests for sexual harassment or protect her rights as an informant. Instead, they have chosen to intimidate it with the frank tool of the law. This is bullying sponsored by the state,” Hari added.
Huriwa has invited the organizations of civil society, the international community, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and all lovers of democracy to rise in defense of Senator Akpoti-Auduaghan and make sure that he is not impregnated in silence or forced to portray his accusations.
“We must not allow this descent into the self -acting not to be brazen. If Senator Natasha is silenced today, every citizen who dares to speak against the government will be a goal tomorrow. Democracy dies when the truth becomes a crime,” said the group.
Huriwa also reminded the AGF that her office is not a political tool of revenge, but a public institution in charge of supporting justice impartially. “The AGF actions led shame to the legal profession and the misfortune of the federal executive. He profaned the Constitution and dishonored his oath.”
The rights group also warned that the continuous abuse of judicial powers could erode the trust of the public in the judicial system and encourage future acts of authoritarianism. “This administration should remember that history is looking at. The repression never lasts and those who abuse power one day today will respond to the Court of Public opinion and posterity,” concluded Huriwa.
The group reiterated his full solidarity with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Auduaghan and undertook to mobilize the Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to defend his right to freedom of expression and fair hearing.
“Natasha Akpoti-Auduaghan is not alone. People are with her. And together, we will make sure that no voice is silenced under this democracy.”
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (Huriwa)
May 25, 2025
