Sen President Godswill Akpabio,, Yahaya Bello, Others Set to Testify in FG’s Suit Against Senator Natasha

The Federal Government has lined up Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and four others as witnesses in its criminal case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The case, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, follows allegations made by the senator during a live television interview, where she accused Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her.

According to court documents, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as the complainant, with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan named as the sole defendant. She faces charges of criminal defamation under Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990 — an offence punishable under Section 392 of the same code.

The charges are tied to comments made by the senator on April 3, 2025, during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. In the interview, she alleged that Akpabio and Bello conspired to take her life.

“I do stand by what I said. In respect to the meeting or discussion Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said during the programme.

She also claimed that her security detail was withdrawn on Akpabio’s orders to leave her vulnerable.

Court filings reveal that six witnesses will be called to testify in the case.

Among them are Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, listed as a nominal complainant, with a residence at No. 13 TY Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

Yahaya Adoza Bello is also named as a nominal complainant, whose address is No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

Others are Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, who the defendant alleged drove Bello to the Hilton Hotel where the alleged plot was discussed, Dr. Sandra C. Duru, a U.S.-based witness residing at 1 Chrisholm Trail Road, Suite 450, Round Rock, Texas, USA.

ACP Maya Iliya and SP Abdulhafiz Garba, both of the IGP Monitoring Unit, are expected to testify as investigating officers.