Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have been listed as key prosecution witnesses in the criminal defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
The Federal Government filed the suit on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory statements during a live television interview on April 3, 2025.
During the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her, claiming that the Senate President orchestrated the withdrawal of her security detail to make her vulnerable to attacks.
The charges, brought under Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, allege that Akpoti-Uduaghan made imputations knowing or having reason to believe they would harm the reputations of Akpabio and Bello. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
In addition to Akpabio and Bello, other prosecution witnesses include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, US-based Sandra Duru, Assistant Commissioner of Police Maya Iliya, and Superintendent of Police Abdulhafiz Garba.
The case has intensified political tensions, especially following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct.