Suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday following a summons.

This was confirmed on Sunday by her lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), who, however, noted uncertainty regarding whether the Federal Government intends to formally arraign her on that day. Regardless of the government’s intentions, Idahosa emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan, being a law-abiding citizen, will adhere to the court's directives.

The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, has filed criminal charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of making defamatory statements during both a live television appearance and a private phone conversation. The allegations center on comments allegedly made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court under case number CR/297/25, the charges claim that during an April 3, 2025 appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that Akpabio and Bello had discussed plans to assassinate her.

According to the court documents, she said: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night—to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi.”

Additionally, the government alleges that on March 27, 2025, in a private phone call with one Dr. Sandra Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan made further defamatory claims, alleging Akpabio was involved in organ harvesting linked to the late Iniubong Umoren for the benefit of his ill wife.

Akpabio, Bello, and four others have been listed as principal witnesses in the case.

Speaking with The PUNCH, Idahosa reaffirmed the legal team’s preparedness to defend Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“If the case is called tomorrow, we will be present and ready with our client,” he said. “As lawyers, our responsibility is to contest the charges before the court, not to engage in protests. That’s a role for civil society and advocacy groups.”

He further stressed, “Our client respects the rule of law. She will definitely be in court. Ignoring a court summons is characteristic of institutions that hold the judiciary in contempt—and she does not belong in that category.”

On the issue of arraignment, Idahosa added, “We’re not certain. We’ve seen a notice of amended charges, but we don’t know their exact plans. They’ve amended the charges before and may do so again. It’s entirely up to them.”