Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Wednesday on a three-count charge of alleged defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The senator, representing Kogi Central, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million.
The court premises witnessed heightened security as the high-profile case unfolded, highlighting escalating tensions between key figures in Nigeria’s political elite.
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed the charges stemming from public statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a Channels Television programme and a private phone call earlier this year.
She is accused of alleging that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her, disguising it as a local mob attack—an accusation the prosecution contends was defamatory and knowingly injurious to their reputations.
The charges, brought under Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code, are being closely watched, particularly given their political backdrop.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who appeared in court at around 10:30 AM, had previously avoided arrest after the court declined the prosecution’s request for a warrant, citing improper service of court summons. A substituted service granted on June 16 enabled the case to proceed.
The case adds to a growing list of controversies involving Senate President Akpabio, who has consistently faced allegations since taking office.
In early 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, claiming her suspension from the Senate was a retaliatory act. Akpabio denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
Further controversy erupted after UK-based activist Dr Sandra Duru accused Akpabio of being linked to organ harvesting—a claim linked to the murder of Iniubong Umoren. The Umoren family dismissed the allegations, and no official investigation corroborated them. Dr Duru now features as a potential witness in the defamation trial.
Akpabio has also been entangled in electoral fraud claims and recent allegations of bribery involving the Rivers State emergency declaration—claims he has repeatedly denied.
His supporters argue the accusations are targeted attempts to discredit his leadership, while critics view them as part of a concerning pattern of alleged misconduct.
The trial of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is more than a courtroom affair; it reflects deeper questions of integrity and power within Nigeria’s political class.
With the country watching closely, the outcome of this legal battle could influence public trust in both the judiciary and the broader democratic process.