ABUJA – A coalition of over 350 Nigerian women under the banner of Womanifesto has strongly condemned what it describes as a “desperate attempt to silence” Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan through coordinated legal intimidation.
In a statement signed by co-convener Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the group demanded an immediate end to all forms of harassment and intimidation against the lawmaker, who faces defamation charges reportedly linked to comments made about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Womanifesto warned that the charges, filed by the Federal Government, appear to misuse state resources for what they consider a personal legal matter. The group said this raises troubling concerns about the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary and the politicisation of justice.
“This is not just about one woman. This is a direct message meant to intimidate Nigerian women who dare to speak out against injustice,” Akiyode-Afolabi said. “They want to shut women up, to make us afraid to speak when harassed or wronged. We will not be silenced.”
According to the statement, Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to be arraigned on June 19, 2025. However, the group alleges that a dramatic attempt was made to arrest her outside due process on June 16. Ten truckloads of armed police officers were reportedly deployed to the Federal High Court in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend the Senator, despite her not being formally served with court papers. The effort was said to have been blocked by a prompt legal intervention.
Womanifesto called on the judiciary to resist being “weaponised” for political purposes and urged respect for due process and constitutional rights. “This egregious abuse of court processes undermines public trust in our legal system and democracy,” the group said.
The group described the situation as a “blatant affront to justice” and reiterated its commitment to defending the voices of Nigerian women against suppression, especially on issues such as sexual harassment and political corruption.
The case has sparked growing public interest, with many observers watching to see how the judiciary will navigate what appears to be a high-stakes legal and political confrontation.
