The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over comments she made during a national television interview, in which she alleged a plot to assassinate her.
The case, filed on May 16, 2025, and registered as suit number CR/297/25, is currently before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Akpoti-Uduaghan is listed as the sole defendant.
According to the charges, the senator is accused of making “imputations knowing or having reason to believe that such imputations would harm the reputation of a person,” a violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offense is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
As reported by TheCable, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello are expected to testify as witnesses in the trial.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, has had a long-running feud with Akpabio, whom she previously accused of sexual harassment.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025, she stood by her earlier claims, stating:
“Even if I’m not a lawyer, I’m a sane individual, and I stand by what I said. In reference to the discussion Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me… ask the Senate President why my security was withdrawn if not to make me vulnerable.”
She also reiterated these allegations during a recent homecoming rally in Kogi State. She claimed Senate President Akpabio first contacted Governor Usman Ododo to initiate a recall process against her, but when Ododo allegedly declined, Akpabio reportedly turned to Yahaya Bello.
“Akpabio was not satisfied. He then called for Yahaya Bello. Senator Asuquo drove Yahaya Bello to the Hilton,” she claimed.
“The meeting had two parts—one was about funding a recall process. The other was more sinister: a plot to kill me.”
She further alleged that Akpabio instructed Yahaya Bello to carry out the act outside Abuja to make it appear as if the senator was killed by local residents.
“He told him the killing must not happen in Abuja. It should be here [Kogi] so it looks like the people did it,” she said. “I didn’t go public with this initially, but we did notify the police.”
The case is expected to draw national attention, especially with two high-profile political figures—Akpabio and Bello—set to take the witness stand.
