Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is set to appear in court on Tuesday following a summons over alleged defamation.
The PUNCH reports that her lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed the development on Sunday, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan would honour the court’s directive, despite uncertainties surrounding the Federal Government’s plans to arraign her formally.
“She will be in court as a law-abiding citizen,” Idahosa said, noting that it remained unclear if the arraignment would proceed on the scheduled date.
The Federal Government, acting through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed criminal charges against the senator.
The charges stem from alleged defamatory remarks made during a live television interview and a private phone conversation, reportedly targeting Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Idahosa reaffirmed the legal team’s commitment to representing Akpoti-Uduaghan in court.
“If the case is called tomorrow, we will be present and respond appropriately with our client,” he said.
He dismissed concerns about protests, stating, “That’s not our concern. We are lawyers focused on defending charges we believe are contestable. Protests fall within the scope of civil society and other actors in that space.”
He emphasised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s respect for the law: “Our client is law-abiding. There’s no reason she wouldn’t show up. We’ve acknowledged the summons. Only institutions that have no regard for the courts would fail to appear—and she does not belong in that category.”
Meanwhile, when asked about a possible arraignment, Idahosa responded, “We can’t say for sure. We’ve seen a notice of amended charges. They’ve done it before and may do it again—it’s entirely up to them.”
SaharaReporters previously reported that the legal team of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused federal authorities of selective justice, while expressing concern over the Nigerian government’s decision to file criminal charges against her while ignoring multiple petitions she had previously submitted.
In a statement signed by her counsel, Uju Nwoduwu, the team revealed that Akpoti-Uduaghan lodged 12 separate petitions between March and May 2025, alleging cyberstalking, defamation, threats to life, and even an assassination attempt.
However, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have allegedly failed to act on any of them.
Uju said, “There is a legitimate public expectation that law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies uphold the principles of fairness, due process, and equal justice—regardless of who is involved.”
The lawyers expressed concern that while none of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaints had been investigated, counter-allegations filed by individuals she accused, including Senate President Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Bello, had been swiftly acted upon, culminating in criminal charges against her.
“This glaring disparity raises serious concerns about a biased and uneven application of justice,” the statement continued, highlighting that some of the unresolved petitions involved high-ranking officials and serious incidents, including the abduction and attempted assassination of a protocol officer.
Though currently out of the country on personal matters, Akpoti-Uduaghan had confirmed receipt of official notification regarding the charges and expressed readiness to return for her arraignment once a date is scheduled.
“She remains resolute in her commitment to due process,” the legal team emphasised, while commending members of the public who have shown concern over what they described as “an extraordinarily questionable criminal charge.”
However, Uju called for impartial investigations into all outstanding petitions and urged authorities to ensure justice is administered fairly and without prejudice.