Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has confirmed that the Federal Government is making moves to arrest her over criminal defamation charges filed by the Department of Public Prosecutions under the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The legal action stems from an interview granted by Senator Natasha on April 3, 2025, during a political programme on Channels Television, where she alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were plotting to have her assassinated.
The case came up on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where government prosecutors requested the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest. However, Justice M.G. Umar declined the request, stating that it was improper to expect her appearance in court without prior service of the charges. According to the court, Natasha’s legal counsel, J.J. Usman (SAN), was only served with the documents minutes before the hearing, at 9:18 a.m. on the same day.
Senator Natasha confirmed through her verified social media account that two separate charges had been filed against her based on petitions by Akpabio and Bello. The first, FCT/CR/297/2025, is scheduled for hearing on June 19, 2025, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. The second, FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, will be heard on June 30, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Despite the attempt to secure a warrant for her arrest, Natasha assured the public that she remains committed to the judicial process and will appear in court as required on the stated dates.
The development comes amid a six-month suspension from the Senate imposed on her earlier in the year, which she had described as politically motivated. Her latest ordeal
