Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has launched a fierce legal battle against the Federal Government, describing the criminal defamation charges filed against her as a blatant act of political persecution and a dangerous double standard in Nigeria’s justice system.

In a preliminary objection filed on Monday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan asked both the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court to dismiss the six-count charge brought against her by the Attorney-General of the Federation. She argued that the Federal Government rushed to prosecute her based on the petitions of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello, while completely ignoring her earlier petitions against Akpabio.

The charges—filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024—stem from remarks Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made during a public gathering in Ihima on April 4, 2025, and in a subsequent television interview. Prosecutors claim her statements were false, malicious, and capable of inciting violence after she accused Akpabio of instructing Bello to have her killed in Kogi State.

Her high-powered legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), Dr. E. West-Idahosa (SAN), J.J. Usman (SAN), and M.J. Numa (SAN)—insists the charges are unconstitutional, frivolous, and intended to silence opposition voices. According to the team, defamation is a civil matter, and the Attorney-General has no legal standing to prosecute what they describe as a private dispute. They further maintained that criminalising public commentary undermines free speech and democratic principles.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused the authorities of selective justice, noting that while her own petitions over threats to her life were ignored, the government swiftly filed charges against her. She described this as discriminatory prosecution that violates Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution and punishes her for her political affiliation.

The lawmaker’s courtroom offensive comes amid a wider political standoff with the Senate. Earlier this year, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of harassment—claims he has denied. Days later, the Senate suspended her for six months, stripping her of salary, security, and access to the chamber. On July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the suspension unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement, but the Senate has refused to comply, claiming the judgment contained no binding reinstatement order and remains under litigation.

Women’s rights groups have now taken the matter to the international stage. On Monday, the Womanifesto Network—representing more than 350 organisations—filed a complaint with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. The petition, signed by Amnesty International Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, WIMBIZ, and Stand to End Rape, accuses the Senate of gender-based discrimination and urges the UN to pressure Nigeria to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and investigate her harassment claims.

“This is about the integrity of our democracy. If a senator can be silenced for reporting harassment, what hope do ordinary women have?” asked Womanifesto convener Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.

As the October 20 adjourned date approaches, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains resolute, vowing to fight what she calls a politically motivated prosecution designed to intimidate opposition voices and discourage women from participating in governance.