Akpabio And Yahaya Bello Set To Testify In Natasha Akpoti’s Defamation Trial

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have been named as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing criminal defamation trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.

The suspended senator representing Kogi Central faces charges brought by the Federal Government, accusing her of making defamatory remarks against Akpabio and Bello during a live TV broadcast.

According to court filings dated May 16, Akpoti-Uduaghan is the sole defendant in the case. The prosecution alleges that her statements amount to “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” in violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

One of the core charges stems from a televised interview in which Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly accused Akpabio and Bello of conspiring to assassinate her. The government claims she said:

“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.”

She also allegedly questioned the Senate President’s motives, stating: “Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. He then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi. What is important to me is to stay alive, because dead men tell no tales, who is going to get justice for me?”

The prosecution argues that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made the remarks knowing, or having strong reason to believe, they would harm the reputations of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The trial has heightened political tensions, especially after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate on March 6, which was officially due to “gross misconduct” related to a dispute over seating arrangements involving Akpabio.

As the case unfolds, much attention will be on the testimonies of Akpabio and Bello, whose appearances could significantly influence the trial’s outcome.