The Federal Government has formally brought criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her public accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, alleging a conspiracy to assassinate her.
According to ThePulseInfo, the charges were filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. They relate to comments Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made during an appearance on the live television program *Politics Today* aired on Channels Television on April 3, 2025.
The charge sheet, obtained by SaharaReporters, states that the senator is accused of making statements with the knowledge, or reasonable belief, that such claims would damage the reputation of others. This allegation falls under Section 391 of the Penal Code, with the offense punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is the complainant, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is the sole defendant in the case. During the broadcast, the senator reaffirmed her claims, saying, “I do stand by what I said. Regarding the meeting or discussion Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.”
She further asserted that her Senate security detail was withdrawn just before the alleged threats, implying that this was a deliberate move to expose her to danger. “Stripping me of my security because I am suspended illegally actually positions me for attacks,” she stated.
This is not the first time Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has publicly claimed threats to her life. Weeks earlier, at a homecoming event in Kogi State, she alleged that Akpabio had financed former Governor Yahaya Bello to initiate her recall from the Senate and orchestrate her assassination.
She specifically said, “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello to kill me… but not in Abuja. It should be done here in Kogi, so it would appear that the people killed me here. I didn’t make that public, but we did notify the police about it.”
According to her account, a meeting regarding this plot took place at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja, during which funds allegedly exchanged hands.
These developments come amid ongoing controversies within the Senate, including serious accusations of sexual harassment and the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct. Critics argue that the Senate leadership is suppressing dissent and using disciplinary actions to silence whistleblowers.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has also accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment, though these claims have yet to be officially investigated. Her suspension continues to draw condemnation from human rights groups and civil society organizations, who view the actions against her as politically motivated attempts to stifle opposition voices.
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