Akpoti-Uduaghan Asks Court to Dismiss FG’s Case, Alleges Political Motivation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a motion before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the dismissal of the six-count criminal charge instituted against her by the federal government.

In her application, the lawmaker described the case as an abuse of prosecutorial powers and a violation of constitutional provisions governing the exercise of such authority by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her legal team, argued that the charges were not instituted in the public interest, but rather to advance private and political interests.

She contended that the AGF acted contrary to Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires that the powers of prosecution be exercised in the “public interest, the interest of justice, and to prevent abuse of legal process.”

According to her, “the charges before this Honourable Court serve no public purpose and amount to a gross abuse of legal authority.”

The six-count charge against Akpoti-Uduaghan was filed on May 22, 2025, alleging defamation and other related offences.

But the senator maintained that the alleged offences stemmed from political disagreements and public commentary rather than any criminal intent.

In her supporting affidavit, the Kogi lawmaker insisted that the case was politically motivated, stressing that it arose from long-standing rivalries and criticisms of public figures.

She said the prosecution was a misuse of state resources aimed at silencing her and deterring public scrutiny of those in power. “The continuation of this charge would occasion a miscarriage of justice,” her motion read in part.