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By Sunday Ani
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has launched a legal offensive against the Federal Government, describing the criminal defamation charges filed against her as a brazen attempt at political persecution.
Filing preliminary objections before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court, her legal team insisted that the prosecutions initiated following complaints by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello, were unconstitutional, frivolous and designed to intimidate opposition voices.
The charges, filed following petitions by Akpabio and Bello, stemmed from statements allegedly made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria, is contending that the prosecutions were unconstitutional and aimed at shielding the private reputations of the complainants rather than protecting public interest or national security.
Her counsel submitted exhibits demonstrating that the statements fall within public discourse and media commentary.
Central to the senator’s objection is the argument that the Attorney Genereal of the Federation (AGF) lacks the locus standi to prosecute defamation on behalf of private individuals.
Her lawyers asserted that defamation matters were inherently civil in nature and that attempting to criminalise them constitutes intimidation, suppresses free speech,and represents a misuse of the criminal justice system.
Senator Natasha further contended that the charges were brought without proper investigation, contrasting sharply with her own petitions alleging threats to her life by the complainants, which she claimed were ignored.
She argued that this selective enforcement violates her constitutional rights, particularly Section 42 and represents discriminatory prosecution because of her opposition political affiliation.
In conclusion, her defence team, comprising Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN; Dr. E. West-Idahosa, SAN; J.J. Usman, SAN; and M.J. Numa, SAN, urged the courts to dismiss the cases at the preliminary stage, warning that allowing the prosecutions to proceed would undermine the integrity of the justice system and waste taxpayers’ resources.
