The Federal Government has instituted legal proceedings against Senator Natasha Akpoti over remarks it described as defamatory. The case, filed on May 16, 2025, is marked CR/297/25 and was lodged at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Senator Natasha Akpoti, who represents Kogi Central, is the sole defendant in the suit. The case stems from comments she made during a live interview on Channels Television recently.
According to the government, the senator violated Section 391 of the Penal Code by making statements “knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation would harm the reputation of a person.”
The alleged offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law. Court documents reviewed by CityNews Nigeria list Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as key witnesses for the prosecution.
Other witnesses expected to testify include Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, and two police investigators, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba.
Also, the Federal Government’s case centers on a live episode of *Politics Today* aired on April 3, 2025, during which Senator Natasha Akpoti allegedly made statements deemed damaging.
Meanwhile, the legal dispute is the latest episode in a long-standing confrontation between Senator Natasha Akpoti and Senate President Akpabio. Tensions between the two escalated after the Senate suspended her on March 6 for “gross misconduct,” citing a disagreement over seating arrangements.
Senator Akpoti, however, denounced her suspension, calling it “illegal, unjust, and an attempt to silence her.”
She also rejected Senate claims that the suspension had nothing to do with her earlier sexual harassment accusation against Akpabio. Since then, Senator Natasha Akpoti has consistently voiced criticism of Akpabio and has submitted several petitions alleging political persecution.
The senator’s public statements have included serious allegations involving high-level conspiracies.
In April, Akpabio responded by petitioning the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, calling for an investigation into Senator Akpoti’s remarks.
He accused her of criminal defamation, incitement, and making false allegations that could endanger public peace and wants her prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Similarly, former Governor Yahaya Bello also petitioning the police over accusations made by the senator. This came after she alleged that Bello was workSening on Akpabio’s instructions to orchestrate her recall from the Senate.
Senator Natasha also claimed that Bello planned her assassination in a staged attack outside Abuja but he denies the claims.
Now both Akpabio and Bello will testify in court against her and the outcome could affect her political standing.
