Drama Unfolds! Natasha’s Lawyer Exposes ‘Hidden Agenda’ Behind FG’s Suit

The legal representatives of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have acknowledged receipt of a court summons in the defamation lawsuit brought against her by the Federal Government at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

The FG filed the case—marked CR/297/25—on Friday, May 16, 2025, in response to remarks allegedly made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during her April 3, 2025 appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, which the government claims were defamatory.

According to the suit, filed under Section 391 of the Penal Code (Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990), Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of knowingly making harmful statements that could tarnish the reputations of specific individuals.

The Federal Government’s witness list includes high-profile figures such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya, as well as investigating police officers and Abdulhafiz Garba.

In a statement released on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), confirmed the receipt of the summons around 2:30 p.m. on May 23 at the FCT High Court. He stated that the legal team is assembling all statutory and factual defences for the upcoming trial.

“We received the official filing, which contains three charges alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, made remarks potentially injurious to the reputation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The documents were received on her behalf via a letter of authority filed at the court registry,” the statement noted.

West-Idahosa affirmed that the legal team would vigorously defend the senator during the proceedings.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for what the Senate described as “gross misconduct” following a confrontation with Akpabio regarding seating arrangements in the Senate chamber. The senator has since decried the suspension as unlawful and politically motivated, asserting that it was an orchestrated move to silence her.