Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, arrived at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and prominent activist, Aisha Yesufu.
The appearance follows her arraignment by the Federal Government over allegations of making false and defamatory claims.
The lawmaker is facing a three-count criminal charge filed under case number CR/297/25. She is accused of falsely alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello conspired to assassinate her.
According to the charge, the comments were made during a live broadcast of Politics Today on Channels Television on April 3.
The Federal Government claims that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan knowingly made damaging statements with the intent to harm reputations, which constitutes an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same code.
Listed as witnesses in the trial are Senate President Akpabio and former Governor Bello, who are also the complainants. Others expected to testify include two police investigators, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Sandra Duru.
The charges were filed shortly after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alleging that the police demonstrated bias while investigating her complaints against the Senate President.
In a related legal matter, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate. The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 27 to deliver a ruling on the legality of the disciplinary action.
Her suspension followed a confrontation with Senate President Akpabio on February 20, during a plenary session. The dispute arose after she protested the arbitrary reassignment of her seat in the chamber and insisted on speaking despite repeated rulings against her.
Her conduct was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension.
As the court proceedings unfold, the Senator continues to face both legal and political challenges that have drawn national attention and fueled debate over legislative accountability, freedom of speech, and political rivalry.