ABUJA — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has expressed her readiness to present evidence in court to substantiate claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio threatened her life, as legal tensions between both lawmakers intensify.
This development follows the receipt of a suit filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Friday, May 23, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. The case, marked CR/297/25, contains three counts accusing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making statements that could harm Senator Akpabio’s reputation, allegedly in breach of Section 391 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 392.
In response, Natasha’s legal counsel, Senator West Ehiogie Idahosa (SAN), stated that her defence team is prepared to present “factual and statutory defences” during the trial. “We will place all relevant evidence before the Court,” he affirmed in a statement on Saturday.
The charges stem from a petition Natasha filed on May 15, 2025, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector General of Police. In the petition, she accused Akpabio of orchestrating a coordinated campaign of defamation, cyber-stalking, conspiracy, and attempted assassination.
Natasha, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate but is currently under suspension, claims her accusations are backed by “incontrovertible evidence,” including witness testimonies, media reports, public broadcasts, and expert analysis.
She further alleged that Senator Akpabio is using proxies and his influence to retaliate against her, constituting what her lawyer described as “a criminal enterprise violating multiple laws.”
The petition also called on authorities to investigate third-party actors who publicly supported the alleged defamatory broadcasts, suggesting they may have played a role in a wider conspiracy.
“We respectfully urge your service to painstakingly investigate the contents of this petition and ensure that justice is expeditiously dispensed to all who may be found wanting, regardless of their status,” Idahosa urged.
As the legal battle begins to unfold, the case is expected to draw significant public and political attention, especially given the high-profile figures involved and the gravity of the allegations.
