The legal team, led by Uju Nwoduwu and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, issued a statement on May 28, 2025, detailing 12 petitions filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan between March and May 2025.
These petitions include grave accusations such as cyberstalking, defamation, threats to life, and an alleged assassination attempt targeting the senator.
According to the lawyers, none of these complaints have been acted upon by the Nigeria Police Force or other relevant security agencies, despite their severity.
“There is a legitimate public expectation that law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies uphold the principles of fairness, due process, and equal justice—regardless of who is involved,” the statement read.
The crux of the legal team’s grievance lies in the contrast between the inaction on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions and the rapid response to counter-allegations filed by high-profile figures she named, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The Federal Government filed criminal charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan on May 16, 2025, under Section 391 of the Penal Code, accusing her of making defamatory statements during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
The charges allege that she made imputations intended to harm Akpabio’s reputation, with key witnesses including Akpabio, Bello, and others listed for the trial.
The senator’s legal team argues that this disparity suggests a “disturbing pattern of selective justice.” They point to specific petitions, such as a March 25 report on threats to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s personal security, a March 31 complaint about the unlawful withdrawal of her police security detail, and an April 4 petition alleging a conspiracy by Akpabio and Bello to assassinate her.
Despite being acknowledged by the police, no significant progress has been made on these cases, with the lawyers suggesting that the political stature of the accused may be influencing the lack of action. “This selective response raises deep concerns about biased enforcement of justice,” the statement noted.
The controversy stems from a broader conflict that began with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, for “gross misconduct” following a dispute over seating arrangements. The senator, representing Kogi Central, described the suspension as illegal and a deliberate attempt to silence her.
She escalated the matter by filing petitions, including one accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, and later alleging during a homecoming rally in Okehi, Kogi State, on April 1, 2025, that Akpabio and Bello plotted to assassinate her in a way that would implicate her constituents.
These claims prompted swift counter-petitions from Akpabio and Bello, who accused her of criminal defamation and incitement, leading to the current charges against her.
Public sentiment, as reflected on X, is divided but vocal. Posts from users like
@SaharaReporters
and @LeadershipNGA
highlight the legal team’s accusations of police bias, while @cinnaija
noted public support for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s call for impartial investigations. However, some question whether her allegations, particularly those against Akpabio, lack credible evidence, as argued in a Blueprint Newspapers piece defending the prosecution as a lawful response to “baseless” claims.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently abroad on personal engagements, has confirmed receipt of the court summons and pledged to appear for arraignment once a date is set. Her legal team, expressing confidence in their defense, stated, “We shall take all necessary legal steps to defend our client with factual and statutory defenses.”
They also called for impartial investigations into the senator’s petitions, urging law enforcement to uphold justice without fear or favor.
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises critical questions about the impartiality of Nigeria’s justice system and the challenges faced by public figures who speak out against powerful opponents. Will Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions be addressed, or will the charges against her overshadow her claims? The nation awaits the court’s response.
What are your thoughts on this case? Is it a matter of selective justice, or are the charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan justified? Share your views in the comments below.
Sources:
Punch Newspapers
Punch Newspapers
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