By Kluemedia News Desk
June 1, 2025
Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has condemned the criminal charges filed against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Federal Government, describing them as “frivolous, illegal, and dangerous to democracy.” She called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to withdraw the charges.
The federal government, through the office of the Attorney-General, had on May 16, 2025, filed a suit (marked CR/297/25) at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court against Akpoti-Uduaghan. The senator, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was accused of making alleged defamatory statements during a live television broadcast.
According to the charge sheet, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of “making imputation, knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” in violation of section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offence is said to be punishable under section 392 of the same code.
Reacting via her official social media handle on Saturday, Dr. Ezekwesili strongly criticized the Tinubu administration, describing the move as a calculated attempt to suppress dissent and victimize a woman who has been vocal about her rights.
She tweeted:
“The criminal charges filed against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan are an act of gross irresponsibility, illegality, and irrationality. This is nothing short of political repression and an effort to collude with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to silence her.”
Ezekwesili further urged President Tinubu to:
- “Specifically instruct the Attorney General to on the 3rd of June, withdraw that wrong-headed, frivolous and dangerous criminal charge against a woman crying out for fair hearing on her sexual harassment case.”
- “Stop making a mockery of our democracy in the eyes of the world.”
In addition, she called on the President to take immediate action to protect Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has reportedly filed 12 separate petitions in the last three months, citing threats to her life.
Ezekwesili continued:
“Instruct the Police IG, whom you supervise as Commander-in-Chief, to immediately investigate all the 12 petitions filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over the last three months on fears for her life. After due investigations, the Police must move immediately to impartially take the next appropriate actions.”
She also condemned the reported withdrawal of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s official security personnel, allegedly on the orders of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“Instruct the IG of Police to immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti’s security personnel, which the Senate President ordered withdrawn in a petty act of retaliation, intimidation, and gross abuse of power.”
The statement from Ezekwesili adds fuel to an already simmering political controversy, as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of harassment and persecution continue to draw attention nationwide. Civil society groups and rights activists are expected to weigh in on the matter in the coming days.
— Kluemedia News