Alleged Defamation: Court Sets June 19 For Natasha’s Arraignment Amid Witness Credibility Saga

The Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has fixed June 19, 2025, for the arraignment of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a defamation case brought against her by the Federal Government on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.

The arraignment, which was initially set for June 3, was adjourned following procedural delays. A reminder notice obtained from the court’s registrar, Hiradi Dada, and signed on June 5, confirmed that all parties were expected to appear for the proceedings.

The charge stemmed from claims advanced by Akpabio and Bello, with figures such as Ms. Sandra Duru, a.k.a ‘Prof Mgbeke’, listed as key witnesses.

However, public outrage deepened following revelations by Ken Okolugbo, communications aide to Akpabio, who in a now-deleted social media post, confessed to participating in a plot to blackmail Senator Natasha. Okolugbo admitted to meetings with Duru and others in London aimed at fabricating evidence to malign the embattled female Senator. He, however, subsequently claimed that his X account was hacked and that he did not make sure post.

Further complicating the case, media activist Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike was arrested at 3am in Owerri, Imo State, on the orders of the Inspector General of Police. Obinna had gone public in an interview on Adeola Fayehun’s platform, alleging that he was paid ₦2.5 million by Duru to produce defamatory content against Natasha, and linking Akpabio to the scheme. His arrest has been seen by critics as part of a broader effort to silence dissenting voices and shield high-level political actors from scrutiny.

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Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has expressed confidence that the truth will prevail, even as civic groups continued to demand that the Attorney General of the Federation and Inspector General of Police explain why a fugitive like Duru was being shielded from arrest while being used to prosecute a sitting Senator.