ABUJA: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused the Federal Government of pursuing a politically motivated case against her while ignoring her own petitions, describing the criminal defamation charges she faces as an act of selective justice.
The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central, filed a preliminary objection on Monday seeking the dismissal of the six-count charge brought against her by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The case, instituted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, follows petitions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello over remarks she allegedly made at a public rally in April and in a subsequent television interview.
Natasha’s arraignment in June sparked widespread debate, with opposition groups alleging that the trial was politically driven. She was granted bail on self-recognition after pleading not guilty.
In her fresh objection before the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that the Attorney-General lacks the locus standi to prosecute what she called a “private defamation matter.
Her legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Prof. Roland Otaru, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, J.J. Usman, and M.J. Numa described the charges as unconstitutional, frivolous, and intended to silence dissenting voices.
Defamation is a civil matter. Criminalising it is nothing but intimidation, suppression of free speech, and a misuse of the justice system, her lawyers stated.
The senator further alleged that while her petitions over threats to her life by the complainants were ignored, the Federal Government acted swiftly on petitions against her.
According to her, this disparity violates Section 42 of the Constitution and amounts to discriminatory prosecution due to her political affiliation.
At the centre of the controversy is her claim that Akpabio instructed Bello to have her killed in Kogi State.
Prosecutors insist the allegation was false, malicious, and capable of inciting violence and undermining public order.
The matter, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, is being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar. The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings to October 20 following an objection raised by her defence team.
Meanwhile, a coalition of women’s rights organisations under the Womanifesto Network has taken the case to the United Nations, alleging gender-based discrimination.
In a petition to UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Reem Alsalem, the group, representing over 350 organisations, claimed that the Senate’s handling of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension violates Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
“This is about the integrity of our democracy. If a senator can be silenced for reporting harassment, what hope do ordinary women have? said the coalition’s convener, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.
The group urged the UN to pressure Nigeria to reinstate the senator in line with a July 4 court ruling that declared her suspension unconstitutional.
Signatories to the petition include Amnesty International Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, WIMBIZ, and Stand to End Rape.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier accused Akpabio of sexual harassment allegations he denies. Her suspension by the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee stripped her of salary, security, and access to the chamber, a move critics described as retaliatory.
Despite the Federal High Court’s ruling against her suspension, the Senate has yet to reinstate her, insisting the matter remains under litigation.
