By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government has filed a criminal defamation suit against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged defamatory comments made during a live television interview.
The suit, marked CR/297/25, was filed on May 16, 2025, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, is the sole defendant.
According to court documents, the government accuses the senator of making statements “knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.” The charge is brought under Section 391 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 392.
The allegations stem from remarks Akpoti-Uduaghan made during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on April 3, 2025.
The witness list in the case includes high-profile figures, notably Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who are named as nominal complainants in the suit.
Other listed witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and two investigating police officers, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.
The case is expected to attract significant public attention given the prominence of the parties involved.
