ABUJA — The Nigerian government has filed criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused two high-ranking politicians of plotting to have her killed.
In April, Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were involved in a conspiracy to “eliminate” her. Both men have strongly denied the claims.
Now, the Attorney General has taken legal action, accusing the senator of defaming the two men. The case was lodged at the Federal High Court, citing comments she made during a television interview on Channels, one of the country’s leading broadcasters.
According to court documents reviewed, Akpoti-Uduaghan said there were “discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello… to eliminate me.” The government contends that such statements could damage the reputations and public standing of both Akpabio and Bello.
The senator has yet to respond publicly to the charges.
This legal clash marks the latest development in a months-long political drama. Just weeks before her assassination claims, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Akpabio of sexually harassing her another allegation he denied.
Following those accusations, the Senate suspended her for six months without pay. The chamber’s ethics committee cited “unruly and disruptive conduct” during a session as the reason. But her supporters claim the suspension was retaliation for speaking out.
“This is not about decorum. It’s about silencing dissent,” one ally of the senator said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer and activist from Kogi State, has positioned herself as a reformist voice in Nigeria’s often male-dominated political landscape. Her clashes with establishment figures have made her both a target and a symbol for women in politics.
For their part, Akpabio and Bello have remained largely silent beyond official denials, declining to comment further as the legal case unfolds.
Nigeria has a long history of political infighting, but public accusations of assassination plots remain rare and explosive. Analysts say the case could set a precedent for how political speech and accountability are handled in the country.
“This lawsuit raises serious questions about free expression and the space for whistleblowers,” said Ayodele Ilesanmi, a political analyst based in Abuja. “But it also highlights how allegations especially serious ones must be backed by evidence.”
The court has yet to announce a date for the first hearing. As the case unfolds, it promises to test not just legal boundaries but the fragile trust between Nigeria’s political elite and the public they serve.
