The Federal Government has formally filed criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly making damaging allegations against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

FG’s suit which was filed by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi hinges on three courts criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly making damaging allegations against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Former Governor Yahaya Bello

Source within the office of the Attorney General revealed that the suit was filed under Charge No. CR/1277/25 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, before Honourable Justice C. N. Oji, the three-count charge was brought by the Department of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation.

In a statement that was made available to newsmen in Abuja Thursday,”The government is accusing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making imputations intended to harm reputations, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

“The first count centers on a televised interview granted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on Channels Television’s political programme, “Politics Today”, aired on April 3, 2025.

“In the interview, the Senator accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of plotting her assassination in collaboration with former Governor Yahaya Bello.”

Responding to a question from anchor Seun Okinbaloye, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night, ehm… to eliminate me.”

She further implied that the withdrawal of her official security details by the Senate upon her suspension was a deliberate plot to make her “vulnerable to attacks,” suggesting an orchestrated attempt on her life.

Prosecutors argued that these public statements were made with knowledge or reason to believe they would damage Senator Akpabio’s reputation.

Continuing,”The second count mirrors the first, on the imputation against Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan told the same television audience that a plan to assassinate her was not to be carried out in Abuja, but in Kogi State, under Bello’s watch.

In her words: “A week and a few days later when [Akpabio] met with [Bello], he then emphasized that I should be killed… I delayed going home because I had to put some measures on ground.”

“She claimed to have reported the threats to the Inspector General of Police and made efforts to inform security operatives.”

The prosecution contends that these allegations, made on national television, not only tarnished the character of Yahaya Bello, but also presented a grave national security concern, especially given the implications of political violence.

In a third charge, “the Federal Government alleges that on March 27, 2025, during a telephone conversation with one Sandra C. Duru, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made a horrifying claim implicating Senate President Akpabio in an alleged killing and organ harvesting.”

According to court documents, she stated:“There was this girl that was killed, what’s her name, umm… Iniobong Umoren… her organs were actually used for [Akpabio’s] wife, because the wife was really ill three years ago…”

This claim, “referencing a real-life murder case that once shocked the nation, is now being legally framed as a malicious and unsubstantiated attack on Senator Akpabio’s character, capable of inciting public outrage and diminishing public confidence in the leadership of the National Assembly.”

The government maintains that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan acted recklessly and with malicious intent, abusing her public platform to spread defamatory and inflammatory statements that have far-reaching consequences for national peace, security, and democratic integrity.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was not in court as she refused service from bailiffs. Justice Orji, however, ordered that efforts should not be spared in ensuring that she is served before the next adjourned date.

By Naseer Uthman-Baba,Minna

Media practitioners in Niger State have been called upon to always ensure that they share accurate information as they are critical stakeholders in maintaining peace in the land.

Gov of state,Umaru Bago

Commissioner for Homeland Security, Muhammad Bello Abdullahi made the call during a pre-summit media chat and round table discussion with Media Practitioners from various media outfits held in Minna.

The Commissioner who described journalists as the most dependable ally in the security architecture of the State said they are expected to play key roles in passing across precise information to the public.

He used the medium to urge journalists to be professional in performing their duties and do not engage in divulging news that will put people on panic mode adding that, the State Government will continue to work closely with journalists and address challenges so as to forge ahead in achieving the objectives of a new Niger.

The Commissioner who gave an overview of the forthcoming Peace and security summit said the theme of the event, ” Collaborative approaches to security and peace building with a view to safe-guarding Niger State”, is aimed at engaging critical stakeholders in the security architecture at Local, State and Federal levels so as to proffer workable solutions to security challenges within the State.

He said, issues and challenges associated with security information management will also be looked into as effective management of information enables swift decision making, proactive actions and enhanced community preparedness.

While answering questions from Journalists on some security issues in the State, the Commissioner re assured them that the State Government is not relenting on its oars in addressing any security threat.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, Bologi Ibrahim who was represented by the Coordinator Media Affairs to the Governor, Hamza Waziri said Governor Umaru Bago, is tirelessly working to ensure peace, tranquility, progress, and development across the State which he said requires the cooperation of journalists

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Niger State Chapter, Comrade Abu Nmodu said journalists in the State have always worked in accordance with the ethics of the profession and will continue to tow that path and remain advocates of peace in the Society.

In her remarks, a Director with the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute of Peace and Sustainable Development Studies,Dr. Diamond Preye described the decision to organize a peace summit by the Niger State Government as apt saying, without peace, there cannot be any meaningful development in any given society hence the need for everyone to be advocates of peace.