Defamation: Charges Against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
By Elempe Dele
The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a criminal suit against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, over alleged defamatory remarks she made during a live television broadcast on April 3, 2025.
The suit, marked CR/297/25, was filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, with Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant.
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The government accuses her of making imputations knowing or having reason to believe that such imputations would harm the reputation of individuals, specifically Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
These allegations relate to claims she made on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, including accusations that Akpabio and Bello plotted to assassinate her. The charges cite Section 391 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 392.
Akpabio and Bello are listed as nominal complainants and key witnesses in the trial, alongside other witnesses including Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and two investigating police officers.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, for gross misconduct related to a confrontation with Akpabio, which she claims was an attempt to silence her after she raised allegations of sexual harassment and political persecution.
The case is ongoing before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, with the government seeking prosecution for criminal defamation and related offences.
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Defamation:
Defamation is a very serious matter that can damage reputations, careers, personal relationships and even lead to psychological problems for the victims.
In Nigeria, defamation(both slander and libel) is a civil and criminal wrong.
When defamation crosses into the realm of criminal law, the alleged defamer can be arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned. Defamation involves communicating false statements about a person that harm his reputation.
The plaintiff(the alleged defamed) in a defamation is required to prove that the statement made was false, published to a third party, and caused reputational damage. Defamation can be pursued both as civil and criminal offenses.
Relevant Sections:
If a defamatory statement could possibly disturb public peace, it becomes a criminal offense. Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act states that anyone who knowingly publishes false defamatory matter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and this can lead to one year in prison.
Defaming public officials, particularly in a way that may incite violence that will lead to break down of law and order, can lead to criminal prosecution.
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc) Act 2015 criminalizes online defamation.
Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, outlines the elements of criminal defamation under the Penal Code. Under Section 392 of the Penal Code Law, any person who defames another shall be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years, or with a fine, or with both.
Natasha’s Defense:
During the said interview, which she is being sued for by the Federal Government, Senator Natasha said, “I am glad you did admit that I am a lawyer, and even if I am not a lawyer, I am a sane individual, and I do stand by what I said. In respect to the meeting or discussion Akpabio had (with) Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.
“Just ask the Senate President why did he withdraw my security if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. Mind you, of all the senators, about 109, we all have different stories.
I have been high profiled, vulnerable individual because of the politics I have had, I have experienced since the year 2018. Very violent and dangerous. And I always have my security. So stripping me of my security because I am suspended illegally, actually it just positions me before attacks.”
Also speaking on the issue during her homecoming rally in Kogi State after her suspension from the Senate, Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan said, “The Senate President first reached out to Governor Ododo to recall me. But Ododo declined, saying the people love me too much. So he turned to Yahaya Bello.
“But Akpabio was not satisfied; he then called for Yahaya Bello. It was Senator Asuquo who drove Yahaya Bello to the Hiltons. I was informed.
“The meeting was in two folds; he told him to commence my recall. He was going to fund it. Of course, money changed hands that day. The second thing was that he should kill me.
“Akpabio told Yahaya Bello to kill me. Akpabio told him to make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja. It would be done here. So it will seem as if the people killed me here. I didn’t make it public, but we did notify the police about it.”
This very allegation by Natasha Akpoti-Udughan against these individuals is weighty. There are still unresolved allegations by the senator against Senator Akpabio on sexual harassment.
She must be able to defend herself as soon as she is arraigned in court for the criminal charges. She would need to prove that her allegations are true and her comments are fair.
Elempe Dele wrote from Abuja
