FG SUMMONS: NATASHA’S LAWYERS VOW TO PRESENT DEFENCE BACKED BY CONCRETE EVIDENCE
Read Time:2 Minute, 32 Second
By: Motunrayo Aniwura
The legal representatives of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have officially received a court summons regarding the lawsuit filed against her by the Federal Government at the Federal Capital Territory High Court last week.
The suit, registered as CR/297/25, was filed on Friday, May 16, 2025, and pertains to alleged defamatory statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live broadcast of Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing Section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
Among the witnesses listed to testify during the trial were Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Others include Asuquo Ekpenyong, a senator; Sandra Duru; Maya Iliya, investigating police officers; and Abdulhafiz Garba, investigating police officers.
However, in a statement issued Friday night by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) on behalf of the legal team, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers confirmed receipt of the formal summons and pledged to prepare all “factual and statutory defences” available to the lawmaker during trial.
“At about 2:30pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement read.
“We received the said information on her behalf through a letter of authority duly issued and filed in the court’s registry.
“The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial.”
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct” following a dispute over seating arrangements with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She condemned the suspension as unlawful, unfair, and a calculated effort to silence her voice.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also rejected the Senate’s assertion that her suspension was unrelated to her allegation of sexual harassment.
In the aftermath, the Kogi senator submitted several petitions and brought new accusations against the Senate President.
In response, Senate President Akpabio filed a petition with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in April, addressing the assassination allegation made against him by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He called for an immediate investigation and prosecution of the senator under relevant laws for “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.”
Former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, had also petitioned the IGP over Natasha’s claims, alleging that he was behind the move to recall her from the Senate.
She had accused Bello of acting on Akpabio’s orders to plot her assassination outside Abuja, in a way that would make it appear like a mob or local attack.
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