Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Assembles Legal Team to Defend Against FG's Criminal Charges

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate, has instructed her legal team to prepare a strong defense following criminal charges filed against her by the Federal Government.

The charges, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court with case number FCT/HC/CR/297/2025, stem from allegations she made during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025. During the interview, Senator Natasha accused former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio of conspiring to assassinate her.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), sanctioned the charges, which include three counts relating to defamation and criminal imputations.

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), alleges that Natasha knowingly made statements that could damage the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, in what is being described as a criminal defamation case with national implications.

In a statement released on Saturday, Natasha’s lead counsel, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), confirmed receipt of the court filings on her behalf.

“At about 2:30 pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the FCT High Court in Abuja, we received a 3-count information filed by the DPP,” the statement read.
“The charges allege that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made damaging imputations against the President of the Senate, which she allegedly knew could tarnish his reputation.”

West-Idahosa assured the public that his legal team is fully prepared to mount a defense based on both statutory law and the facts of the case.

“We will present all available legal and factual defenses before the court at trial,” he affirmed.

The case adds fuel to ongoing political tensions, especially given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved. Natasha, a vocal critic of the Kogi political establishment, has previously clashed with Yahaya Bello and remains a prominent figure in the opposition camp.

The charges come amidst broader concerns over freedom of speech, executive overreach, and the independence of the judiciary, with some civil society groups already calling for public scrutiny of the proceedings.