Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have been listed as witnesses in the Federal Government’s defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The embattled lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central and was suspended from the Senate in March for “gross misconduct,” is facing trial at the FCT High Court in Abuja. The charges stem from remarks she allegedly made during a live television interview, where she accused Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her.
In a suit filed on May 16, Akpoti-Uduaghan is the sole defendant. The Federal Government alleges she made statements “knowing or having reason to believe” they would damage the reputations of both men — a violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 392.
According to the charge sheet, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed:
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.
Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks? He then emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.
What is important to me is to stay alive, because dead men tell no tales. Who is going to get justice for me?”
The prosecution argues that the senator was aware such statements could tarnish the reputations of Akpabio and Bello.
The case further intensifies the controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has remained a polarizing figure since her suspension following a confrontation with Senate President Akpabio over seating arrangements on the Senate floor.