ABUJA — Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, on Wednesday arrived at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama in solidarity with suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is set to be arraigned by the Federal Government on charges of defamation and making false claims.
Ezekwesili was joined by renowned activist Aisha Yesufu and other rights advocates ahead of the hearing, which is being presided over by Justice Chizoba Orji. The embattled lawmaker arrived at the court around 10:27 am with her husband and legal team, amid heavy security presence. Court proceedings were expected to begin by 11 am.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan faces a three-count charge, marked CR/297/25, which accuses her of falsely claiming during a televised interview that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were involved in a plot to assassinate her.
According to the Federal Government, her remarks, made on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, were defamatory and designed to harm the reputations of the individuals mentioned. The prosecution cites Section 391 of the Penal Code, which defines defamation, and says her actions are punishable under Section 392.
The prosecution listed Akpabio and Bello as nominal complainants and key witnesses, alongside two investigating police officers, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Sandra Duru.
This arraignment comes shortly after Akpoti-Uduaghan petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation, accusing the police of bias in handling her complaints against the Senate President. She had also alleged, in a February 28 interview, that her ordeal stemmed from rejecting Akpabio’s alleged unwanted advances.
The Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following a heated exchange during a plenary on February 20, where she protested the relocation of her seat and clashed with the Senate President. Her case was referred to the Senate’s Ethics Committee, leading to the suspension.
The legality of her suspension is currently being challenged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with a ruling expected on June 27.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a judicial declaration nullifying all actions taken by the Senate Committee during the pendency of her legal challenge.
