Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on a three-count charge of criminal defamation and malicious falsehood against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The charges, brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, stem from allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, including claims of sexual harassment and attempted murder.
According to a statement by the Centre for Justice and Institutional Integrity (CJII), the senator has failed to provide credible evidence to support her accusations against Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, whom she claimed conspired to harm her.
"This legal milestone marks a significant shift in a controversy that has seen Senator Natasha repeatedly make inflammatory accusations," said Prof. Reuben Micah, who signed the statement on behalf of CJII. "These unsubstantiated allegations have been propagated widely in both local and international media, often without evidence and seemingly aimed at damaging reputations for political gain."
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Following her appearance in court, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million. The bail conditions require one surety who must own landed property within the FCT jurisdiction.
Justice Chizoba Orji, who presided over the arraignment, has fixed September 23, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.
The CJII noted that efforts to serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with court documents had previously been met with resistance, with the senator allegedly remaining elusive and frustrating legal proceedings until her eventual arraignment.
Call for Accountability
The civil society organization emphasized that the case is not a political witch-hunt but "a long-overdue effort to uphold the dignity of public service and enforce accountability in the face of deliberate character assassination."
"This trial sends a clear message: In a society governed by laws, truth must prevail over theatrics. Justice must outweigh publicity stunts. And leadership must not be held hostage by baseless slander," the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has reportedly continued to focus on national governance and leadership, refraining from responding to media provocations while allowing due process to take its course.
The case has attracted significant attention, with security personnel reportedly taking over the FCT High Court ahead of the senator's arraignment.
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