Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has accused the federal government of engaging in selective justice in its handling of a defamation case filed against her.
The allegation was made in a statement released by her legal team on Wednesday, following the federal government’s initiation of criminal proceedings over comments the senator allegedly made during a live television broadcast.
The suit, filed on May 16, 2025, and registered as CR/297/25 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, names Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant. According to the government, the senator violated Section 391 of the Penal Code by making imputations likely to damage another person’s reputation—a charge punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
In the statement signed by her counsel, Uju Nwoduwu, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team criticized what they described as unequal treatment under the law. They disclosed that between March and May 2025, the senator had filed twelve separate petitions with security agencies, alleging crimes including cyberstalking, threats to life, defamation, and even an assassination attempt. None of the petitions, they claimed, have been acknowledged or acted upon.
“Despite the gravity of these allegations, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies have failed to take any action,” the statement read.
The legal team expressed concern that while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaints remain unaddressed, counter-allegations by high-profile individuals she petitioned—among them Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello—have been swiftly acted upon.
“This selective response raises serious concerns about the impartiality of justice enforcement in Nigeria,” they stated.
Among the pending petitions is a report concerning the alleged abduction and attempted assassination of a protocol officer linked to the senator, as well as other threats allegedly involving prominent political figures.
The statement confirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently overseas on personal engagements, has been formally notified of the charges against her and intends to cooperate fully with legal proceedings.
“She remains fully committed to due process,” her lawyers said, while also thanking the public for its support and condemnation of what they described as “an extremely curious criminal charge.”
They concluded by calling for an impartial investigation into all outstanding petitions and urged the authorities to uphold the principle of equal justice under the law.
Nzubechukwu Eze
