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Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have been named as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing criminal defamation trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been suspended from representing Kogi Central in the Senate, is the sole defendant in a case brought by the Federal Government. She stands accused of making defamatory statements during a live television appearance, which allegedly targeted Akpabio and Bello.
According to court documents dated May 16, the government contends that her comments constituted “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. If convicted, she could face penalties outlined in Section 392 of the same law.
A central allegation revolves around a televised interview in which Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly claimed that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her. She reportedly stated:
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.”
She also questioned Akpabio’s motives, saying:
“Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks? He then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi. What is important to me is to stay alive, because dead men tell no tales. Who is going to get justice for me?”
The prosecution argues that these statements were made with the knowledge—or at least a strong reason to believe—that they would harm the reputations of the individuals named.
This trial follows Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate on March 6, a move that stemmed from what the Senate leadership described as “gross misconduct,” reportedly linked to a dispute over seating arrangements involving Akpabio.
As the proceedings unfold, public attention is now focused on the anticipated court appearances of Akpabio and Bello. Their testimonies could play a critical role in determining the outcome of this politically charged case.
