Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has called on Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio to seek redress in court if he believes Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defamed him.
Falana said Akpabio should not involve the police in what is clearly a politically motivated civil dispute.
The lawyer made the call following a petition Akpabio submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at a recent political rally.
In the petition, Akpabio urged the police to investigate and prosecute the Kogi Central Senator for “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.”
“In the said petition, Senator Akpabio, stated that the alleged defamatory statement is ‘entirely false, unfounded and politically motivated’. To that extent, the Nigeria Police Force should not be asked to criminalise a civil dispute that is ‘politically motivated,’” Falana said.
“In the case of Arthur Nwankwo v The State (1985) 5 NCLR 228 at 253, the Court of Appeal cautioned public officers to desist from using the machinery of the State to harass or intimidate their political opponents.”
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“In particular, Olajide Olatawura JCA (as he then was and of blessed memory) held as follows: ‘Let us not diminish from the freedom gained from our colonial masters by resorting to laws enacted by them to suit their purpose. The decision of the founding fathers of this present Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech which must include treedom to criticise should be praised and any attempt to derogate from it except as provided by the Constitution must be resisted.
“’Those in public office should not be intolerant of criticism. Where a writer exceeds the bounds, there should be a resort to the law of libel where the plaintiff must of necessity put his character and reputation in issue.’”
“In view of the above epochal words of the Court of Appeal, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio should be advised to institute a libel suit in the appropriate High Court if he feels defamed by the statement credited to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at a political rally,” Falana added.
Akpabio had formally petitioned the police chief, seeking an investigation into an alleged assassination plot made against him by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio denied the serious accusation and called for the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation.
The petition, which was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), came after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public outburst on April 1, 2025.
During a speech in Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to assassinate her in Kogi State, claiming that the act was intended to make it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
Akpabio categorically denied the accusation, calling it a “heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation.
In his petition, the Senate President labelled the allegation as politically motivated, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to incite political unrest and damage his public image.
He stressed that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence.
The Senate President also highlighted the severe impact of the false allegation, especially given its widespread coverage across media platforms, including radio, television, and social media. He urged law enforcement agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
He further added that the statement was intended to manipulate public sentiment and malign his person and office.
In the petition, Akpabio called for the “immediate investigation into the false and inciting allegation” and the prosecution of “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan under the relevant provisions of the law for criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace”.
