Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, has alleged that the federal government is practicing selective justice through her legal team, following a defamation suit initiated against her.
In mid-May, the government filed a suit, marked CR/297/25, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court on May 16, 2025, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory remarks during a live television appearance. The charges are based on Section 391 of the Penal Code, which pertains to harmful imputation against individuals, and are punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
‘SELECTIVE RESPONSE’
In a statement released by her counsel Uju Nwoduwu, it was highlighted that Akpoti-Uduaghan had submitted twelve petitions to various authorities between March and May 2025. These petitions, which include serious allegations such as cyberstalking, threats to life, defamation, and even an assassination plot, have reportedly gone unanswered by the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies.
The legal team expressed concern over the apparent disparity in the treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaints compared to counter-allegations from individuals she had accused, including influential figures such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, whose claims have reportedly been processed without delay.
“This selective response raises deep concerns about the biased enforcement of justice,” the statement asserted. The legal team emphasized that some of the lodged petitions detail serious incidents, including “the abduction and attempted assassination of a protocol officer,” allegedly related to high-profile individuals.
Currently out of the country for personal engagements, Akpoti-Uduaghan has acknowledged receipt of the charges and remains committed to upholding due process.
The statement also expressed gratitude for the public’s condemnation of what it termed “an extremely curious criminal charge” and conveyed hope that the injustices faced by Akpoti-Uduaghan would not be allowed to persist. The legal team concluded with a renewed call for impartial investigations into all outstanding petitions, urging authorities to ensure equal application of the law.