The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed June 19, 2025, for the arraignment of 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 date, 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 are expected to appear for the proceedings.
The charge, believed by many observers to be politically motivated, stems from claims advanced by Akpabio and Bello, with controversial figures such as Ms. Sandra Duru listed as key witnesses.
Public outrage deepened following revelations by Ken Okolugbo, former communications aide to Akpabio, who in a now-deleted social media post confessed to participating in a plot to blackmail Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Okolugbo admitted to meetings with Duru and others in London, aimed at fabricating evidence to malign the senator.
His subsequent claim that his account was hacked has been met with widespread skepticism.
Further complicating the case, media activist Obinna Akuwudike was arrested in Owerri on the orders of the inspector general of police.
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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 the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, 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.
The looming court date places the spotlight on what many have termed a legal charade designed to persecute Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has consistently maintained her innocence and described the allegations as baseless.
As the June 19 arraignment approaches, the senator has expressed confidence that the truth will prevail.
