Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Charged Over Assassination Plot Claims

Photo: Saharareporters

The Nigerian government has initiated legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, pressing criminal charges related to her public statements alleging a plot to assassinate her. While the full scope of the charges remains somewhat vague, at least one charge is directly connected to claims she made during a live interview on Channels Television's "Politics Today" on April 3, 2025.

During that broadcast, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan openly accused both Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of conspiring to have her killed.

According to the charge sheet obtained by sources, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as the complainant in the case, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant. The government is accusing her of "making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person," citing Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. This offense carries a punishment under Section 392 of the same law.

During the interview, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan defended her assertions, stating, "I am glad you did admit that I am a lawyer, and even if I am not a lawyer, I am a sane individual, and I do stand by what I said. In respect to the meeting or discussion Akpabio had [with] Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me." She further questioned the Senate President's decision to withdraw her security, implying it was an attempt to leave her vulnerable to attacks, especially given her history of facing "very violent and dangerous" political situations since 2018.

This isn't the first time the senator has voiced concerns about threats to her life, allegedly linked to influential political figures. Weeks prior to the TV interview, during a homecoming rally in Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Senate President Akpabio had initially tried to get Governor Ododo to recall her, but he refused. She then alleged that Akpabio subsequently met with Yahaya Bello, with Senator Asuquo reportedly driving Bello to the meeting at the Hiltons.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan detailed this alleged meeting, claiming it had two objectives: to initiate her recall, which Akpabio would fund (with money reportedly changing hands), and to "kill me." She further alleged that Akpabio specifically instructed Bello to ensure her death did not occur in Abuja but rather in Kogi, to make it appear as if the local people were responsible. While she didn't publicize this immediately, she stated that the police were notified.

These serious allegations have emerged amidst ongoing controversies within the Nigerian Senate, including unresolved claims of sexual harassment, concerns about security intimidation, and accusations of stifling dissenting voices. Notably, Senator Natasha had previously accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment. However, she was later suspended by the Senate for six months, with the stated reason being "misconduct," rather than her specific allegations.