Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central was arraigned on June 19, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on charges of defamation brought by the Federal Government. The charges stem from statements she allegedly made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed the criminal charge, accusing the senator of making false claims during a live television broadcast on April 3, 2025. Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly stated that Akpabio withdrew her security to make her vulnerable and conspired with Bello to have her killed in Kogi State.
In addition, the senator is accused of making defamatory remarks during a phone call on March 27, 2025, suggesting that organs from a murdered girl were used for the Senate President’s wife.
The Federal Government maintains that these statements were made recklessly, intending to harm the reputations of the complainants. The Senate President, former Governor Bello, and others are witnesses in the case.