Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has stated her readiness to counter the Federal Government’s criminal defamation lawsuit against her with “factual and statutory defenses.”
Her legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, confirmed on Friday that they have officially received the summons filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The suit, designated CR/297/25, was initiated by the Federal Government on May 16, 2025.
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It stems from comments Akpoti-Uduaghan made on April 3 during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program. The charges are based on Section 391 of the Penal Code, which addresses defamation and imputations intended to harm one’s reputation.
The government alleges the senator made statements “knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.”
Key prosecution witnesses include Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, along with Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya, and Abdulhafiz Garba, the latter two identified as investigating police officers.
In a statement issued Friday night, Dr. West-Idahosa confirmed his legal team had taken delivery of the court filings on behalf of the senator.
The legal firm stated: “We shall take all necessary legal steps to defend our client. We intend to adequately prepare with all relevant facts and present the same before the court during the trial.”
