Anebi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the immediate withdrawal of the criminal case filed against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a post shared Monday on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, SERAP stated that “following his expressed commitment on June 12, we call on President Tinubu to promptly direct Nigeria’s Attorney General to immediately discontinue the case(s) against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is targeted simply for the peaceful exercise of her human rights.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently facing prosecution by the Nigerian government in a case believed to have been initiated on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected a request by government prosecutors to issue a bench warrant for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arrest.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Mr. D.D. Kasue informed the court that although the matter was set for arraignment, the defendant failed to appear.
Kasue argued that the charge had been duly served on the senator’s counsel, implying she was aware of the court date. The court, however, declined to issue the warrant.
The ongoing legal battle follows an altercation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio on February 20, 2025, which led to disciplinary attempts by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Last week, the Court of Appeal in Abuja struck out two motions filed by Akpabio seeking to challenge a Federal High Court judgment that had restrained the Senate Committee from proceeding with disciplinary action against the senator.
The motions, dated March 20 and March 25, 2025, sought leave to appeal the March 10 decision of Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who granted an injunction in favor of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court struck out the motions after Akpabio’s legal team filed notices of withdrawal.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her outspoken stance on legislative matters, has described the charges and disciplinary efforts against her as politically motivated.
SERAP urges Tinubu to withdraw criminal case against Akpoti-Uduaghan
