Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is now facing criminal charges from the Federal Government after publicly alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello plotted her assassination.
The case was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, following the senator’s remarks on Politics Today, a live broadcast on Channels TV dated April 3, 2025.
According to a charge sheet accessed by SaharaReporters, the federal government claims Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made defamatory statements with intent—or reasonable knowledge—that they would damage the individuals’ reputations.
The alleged violation falls under Section 391 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 392.
The legal filing names the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and the senator as the sole defendant.
During the broadcast, the senator boldly declared that she still stood by her earlier claims: “Akpabio met with Yahaya Bello to discuss plans to eliminate me.” She added that shortly before receiving threats, her Senate security was inexplicably withdrawn—further fueling her suspicions.
Weeks earlier at a political event in Kogi State, Senator Akpoti alleged that Akpabio offered financial incentives to Bello to not only fund a recall campaign but also facilitate her assassination in a way that would look like it was orchestrated by locals.
She claimed the plot was hatched at the Hilton Hotel and involved a cash exchange, which was reported to the police.
These developments arrive in the midst of broader turmoil in the National Assembly. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended over what the Senate termed misconduct.
Meanwhile, rights groups have voiced concerns over increasing allegations of abuse of power, including her claim of sexual harassment by Senate President Akpabio—an issue that remains uninvestigated.