Suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, is expected to appear in court on Tuesday following a summons.
Her lawyer, West Idahosa (SAN), confirmed this on Sunday, though he said it’s unclear whether the Federal Government will officially arraign her that day.
The government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, has filed criminal charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
She is accused of making defamatory statements during a live appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025, as well as during a private phone call on March 27, 2025.
According to court documents filed on May 16 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the senator allegedly claimed during the TV broadcast that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had discussed plans to have her killed.
The charge quotes her as saying that Akpabio and Bello discussed eliminating her and that Bello had stressed she should be killed in Kogi State.
In addition, she is accused of making further damaging claims in a phone call with Dr Sandra Duru.
In that conversation, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly linked Akpabio to organ harvesting involving the late Iniubong Umoren, suggesting it was done for the benefit of his ill wife.
Akpabio, Bello, and four others are expected to testify against her in court. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Idahosa said Akpoti-Uduaghan remains calm and is ready to face the court.
He stated that she is a law-abiding citizen who respects court orders and has no intention of avoiding the process.
When asked about the possibility of her being formally arraigned, Idahosa said they had seen amended charges but had not been given full details.
He added that their legal team would respond appropriately to whatever unfolds in court.
