By Adenike Lawal
Suspended senator from Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday in response to a court summons tied to criminal charges filed by the Federal Government.
Her lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria West Idahosa, confirmed the appearance, stressing that his client remains committed to the rule of law.
“The appearance is mandatory and as law-abiding citizens, we intend to fully honour it,” Idahosa said.
The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, stem from two incidents—an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today and a private phone conversation.
In both, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made defamatory claims about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
According to the case file (CR/297/25), the Federal Government is accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of stating on April 3 that Akpabio and Bello plotted her assassination.
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night- to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi,” she reportedly said during the broadcast.
The second incident reportedly took place in a private phone call with Dr. Sandra Duru on March 27, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly accused Akpabio of being involved in an organ harvesting scheme related to the tragic death of Iniubong Umoren.
Akpabio and Bello are among six witnesses the government plans to call during the trial.
Despite the explosive nature of the allegations, Idahosa said the legal team is focused strictly on the court process.
“Our job is to respond to the charges legally. Protests and public sentiment are for civil society. We are in court to test the claims made against our client,” he said.
He maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan will comply fully with the court order and made clear that she is not looking to evade the law in any form. “Only institutions or individuals that operate outside the bounds of legal accountability would defy a court order, something she has no intention of doing.”
While it remains unclear whether the Tuesday appearance will include a formal arraignment, Idahosa said the defense is prepared for any direction the proceedings may take.
