The Federal Government has slammed fresh charges against the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

A new charge with reference FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25 was lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 22, 2025. This came shortly after another charge, CR/297/25, had been brought before the FCT High Court. The accusations in both charges stem from alleged remarks made by a female Senator that the government asserts were detrimental to the reputations of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.

The case at the FCT High Court is based on Section 392 of the Penal Code, which pertains to criminal defamation. On the other hand, the charge at the Federal High Court is grounded in Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Act, 2024 (as amended). The government contends that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s online statements had the potential to harm the public image of Akpabio and Bello.

The Senator has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and designed to intimidate opposition voices.

By filing similar charges in different courts, concerns have been raised about forum shopping. This controversial legal strategy involves litigants submitting identical or similar lawsuits in multiple courts in a bid to enhance their chances of obtaining a favorable judgment.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to appear before the Federal High Court for arraignment on June 30, 2025, following her earlier bail granted by the FCT High Court on June 19, 2025.