The Federal Government has filed a criminal charge against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live television interview.

The suit, filed on 16 May 2025 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, names Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant. The government accuses her of knowingly making statements likely to damage the reputations of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Citing Section 391 of the Penal Code (Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990), the government alleges the offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same code.

The charge references an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on 3 April 2025, in which Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her. She questioned the withdrawal of her security, which she attributed to Akpabio, and suggested that her death was being orchestrated.

In a separate count, the government alleges that during a phone call with one Sandra C. Duru in March 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely claimed that the organs of late Iniubong Umoren were harvested for Akpabio’s wife, who was allegedly ill at the time.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, filed the charges. Senate President Akpabio and former Governor Bello are listed as key witnesses.

No date has been fixed yet for the senator’s arraignment.