Embattled Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has blasted the Federal Government (FG) over criminal defamation charges against her, calling the case ‘politically motivated, unconstitutional, and discriminatory.
Senator Challenges FG’s Prosecution
In a preliminary objection filed on Monday before the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Natasha urged the courts to dismiss the six-count charge initiated by the Attorney General of the Federation.
The charges, filed under the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024, stem from petitions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello over remarks she made at a public rally in April and in a television interview.
Natasha’s legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria, argued that the prosecution has no legal basis, saying that defamation is a civil matter and criminalising it amounts to intimidation of opposition voices.
They also accused the authorities of selective justice, pointing out that her earlier petitions against Akpabio were ignored while charges against her were filed swiftly.
“This represents a violation of my constitutional rights, particularly Section 42, and demonstrates discriminatory prosecution because of my opposition political affiliation,” she stated.
Women’s Rights Groups Take Case to UN
The standoff has also drawn international attention.
A coalition of over 350 women’s rights organisations under the Womanifesto Network has petitioned the United Nations, alleging that the Senate’s actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan amount to gender-based discrimination.
The petition, submitted to UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem, accused Nigeria’s Senate of violating obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified by Nigeria in 1985.
“If a senator can be silenced for reporting harassment, what hope do ordinary women have?,” Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the group’s convener asked.
The activists also urged the UN to pressure Nigeria’s government to comply with the Federal High Court judgment that declared Natasha’s suspension unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement—a directive the Senate has so far resisted.
Case Adjourned
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, is being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar.
Natasha, who pleaded not guilty during her arraignment in June and was granted bail on self-recognition, will return to court on October 20 when proceedings resume.