Leadnaija
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to be arraigned in a defamation case brought by the Federal Government on behalf of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, at the Federal High Court sitting at Maitama, Abuja.
The charge, believed by close observers to be politically motivated, stems from claims advanced by the parties involved with controversial figures such as Ms. Sandra Duru listed as key witness.
Duru, in the past is reported to have issues with law enforcement agencies bothering on alleged criminal activities which has not been properly cleared and standing as a star witness against Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan, legal experts and civic groups believed is a stain on Nigeria’s judicial integrity.
Natasha will be araingned on June 19th, 2025. Initially, the date was set for June 3 but was adjourned due to procedural delays. A reminder notice obtained from the court’s registrar, Hiradi Dada, and signed on June 5, confirmed that all parties are expected to appear for the proceedings.
The public is also skeptical that Natasha may not get fair hearing following alleged revelations byone Mr Ken Okolugbo, in an allegedly deleted social media post to confessing participating in a plot to.allegedly blackmail Senator Natasha in an alleged meeting with Duru and others in London aimed at fabricating evidence to malign the senator.
Although Okolugbo subsequently claimed that his account was hacked but the public is actually sceptical whether the claim was true.
To further erode public trust on the case, analysts said media activist Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, who was said be allegedly interested in the matter and was willing to provide some evidence in defence of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was allegedly arrested in Owerri on an alleged orders of the Inspector General of Police.
The activist Obinna was said to have gone public in an interview on Adeola Fayehun’s platform, alleging that he was contacted by Duru to allegedly produce defamatory content against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Analysts say the call to witness of Duru with uncleared controversy surrounding her and the arrest of the media activist Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike further erode the credibility and raises serious questions about the judicial processes.
As the June 19 arraignment date approaches, Nigerians and the international community will be watching closely, just as the senator has expressed confidence that the truth will prevail.
