Embattled Senator Natasha is scheduled to appear in court today.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is scheduled to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, following a summons issued in connection with criminal defamation charges.
This Nigeria news platform understands that Natasha’s lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed on Sunday that his client would honour the court’s invitation, regardless of whether the Federal Government plans to formally arraign her that day.
“As a law-abiding citizen, she will be present in court. It is a summons we have undertaken to comply with,” Idahosa told The PUNCH.
ALSO: Zenith Bank Suffers ₦5.26 Billion Fraud Loss, Sparking Concerns Over Customer Fund Security
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged defamatory comments made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
According to court filings dated May 16, 2025, and marked CR/297/25, the charges stem from remarks she allegedly made during a live broadcast on Politics Today on Channels TV on April 3, 2025. In the broadcast, she reportedly claimed that Akpabio and Bello held a meeting to plan her assassination.
The charge sheet quotes her as saying:
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night — to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi.”
Additionally, the government accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making further defamatory allegations in a private telephone conversation on March 27, 2025, with one Dr Sandra Duru. In the call, she allegedly claimed that Akpabio was linked to an organ harvesting case involving the late Iniubong Umoren, reportedly to aid his ailing wife.
Akpabio, Bello, and four others are expected to testify as key witnesses in the trial.
Responding to these developments, Idahosa stressed that his legal team is prepared to challenge the charges.
“If the case is called tomorrow, we will respond accordingly. Protests or public sentiment are not our focus — that is for civil society. Our responsibility is to defend our client within the bounds of the law,” he said.
He also noted some confusion surrounding the exact status of the charges.
“We’ve seen a notice of amended charges, but we’re not clear what direction the prosecution is going. They amended the charges once, and they may do so again. It’s entirely within their discretion,” he added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has remained vocal on political issues despite her suspension, is facing a legal battle that could reshape her political future as the trial unfolds in the coming weeks.
