The Federal Government accuses the Kogi Central lawmaker of making statements “with knowledge or reason to believe” they would damage another person’s reputation an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
The Federal Government has filed criminal defamation charges against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over remarks made during a live television broadcast. The suit (CR/297/25), filed at the FCT High Court on May 16, cites violations of Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code.
Prosecution documents list Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello as key witnesses. The FG alleges the senator made statements she “knew or had reason to believe” would damage reputations, punishable under Nigeria’s 1990 penal laws.
The case escalates tensions between the senator and political figures linked to Kogi State. Legal analysts view the charges as a test of free speech limits for public officials, with Akpoti-Uduaghan yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
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