Suspended Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has challenged the Federal Government over criminal defamation charges filed against her, even as more than 350 women’s rights organisations petition the United Nations alleging systemic retaliation against her in the Senate.
The Federal Government, through the attorney general of the federation (AGF) on Monday, filed two criminal defamation suits against Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, one under the Penal Code before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and another under the Cybercrimes Act at the Federal High Court based on petitions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello.
In preliminary objections before both courts, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by four senior advocates of Nigeria Roland Otaru, Ehiogie Idahosa, J.J. Usman and M.J. Numa argued that the prosecutions are unconstitutional and intended to silence her.
They maintained that the AGF exceeded his mandate under Section 174(3) of the Constitution, which limits prosecution to matters of public interest, justice and prevention of abuse of process.
Her counsel said the cases are private disputes framed as criminal charges using public resources, adding that defamation is a civil matter.
They also alleged that the charges were filed without proper investigation while her own petitions on threats to her life were ignored.
Citing Section 42 of the Constitution, the senator accused the AGF of discriminatory prosecution because of her political affiliation.
Meanwhile, a coalition of more than 350 women’s rights organisations under the Womanifesto platform has petitioned UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem.
The petition alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate following her accusation of sexual harassment against Akpabio amounts to gender-based discrimination and retaliation.
The groups noted that after she made the allegation public in February, the Senate’s ethics and privileges committee recommended her six-month suspension for alleged procedural misconduct.
The decision stripped her of security, allowances and access to the chamber.
On July 4, a Federal High Court in Abuja declared the suspension unconstitutional and overreaching, but the Senate has not reinstated her, saying the matter is still “subject to litigation.”
Legal observers say the combined court challenges and the UN petition could shape the boundaries of free speech, political accountability and gender rights in Nigeria’s governance system.
