Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to dismiss the criminal charge filed against her by the Federal Government, describing it as an abuse of court process.
The Federal Government had filed a six-count charge (CR/297/25) against the lawmaker, accusing her of making false and defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
According to the prosecution, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made the remarks during a live television interview, claiming that the two politicians plotted to assassinate her. The government contends that the statements amounted to false imputations intended to harm their reputations, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code, and punishable under Section 392.
However, in a fresh application before the court, the senator asked for an order striking out or dismissing the charge, arguing that it constitutes an abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
She contended that the charges “exceed the constitutional mandate” of the AGF and violate Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires the AGF to act in the public interest, interest of justice, and to prevent abuse of legal process.
Her application reads in part:
“By virtue of the above provision, the AGF is only mandated to exercise prosecutorial powers in line with public interest and the interest of justice and to prevent abuse of the legal process.
The six-count charge filed on 22nd May, 2025, was not initiated in the public interest, but to serve the private interests of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello, using public resources to protect their reputations.”
She further argued that the matter arose from a personal and political rivalry, not issues of national importance or public safety.
“The petitions and circumstances culminating in these charges, as contained in the information before the court, are personal and political rivalry between the Defendant and these two individuals, offering no benefit to the general Nigerian public.
The alleged threat to reputation purportedly made by the Defendant contained in the charge was directed at the individuals personally and not in their respective official capacities,” she stated.
The court is expected to hear the application for dismissal at the next adjourned date.