The legal team representing suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally received a summons regarding the defamation case filed against her by the Federal Government at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The suit, filed on May 16, 2025 and marked CR/297/25, alleges that the senator made defamatory remarks during a live broadcast on April 3, 2025. The government cited Section 391 of the Penal Code for “making imputations knowing or having reason to believe such imputations would harm the reputation of a person.”
Key witnesses listed for the trial include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and several investigating police officers.
In a statement issued by Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, the lawyers confirmed receiving the summons on May 23, 2025, and pledged to prepare all “factual and statutory defences” for their client.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 over a seating dispute with Akpabio, which she described as an illegal and politically motivated attempt to silence her. She has since made fresh allegations against the Senate President, including accusations of plotting her assassination claims denied by Akpabio and former governor Bello, both of whom have filed counter-petitions with the police.
The trial is now set to proceed amid heightened political tensions surrounding the dispute.
