On Friday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio refuted an allegation made by suspended Kogi Central representative Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She claimed that he had hired former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed.

In a statement released in Abuja by his press assistant, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio refuted the claims, labeling them as unfounded and spiteful.

During a welcoming rally for her enthusiastic supporters on Wednesday in Kogi, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that the Senate President asked Bello to orchestrate an assassination attempt against her. This allegation has been refuted by the state government.

Reacting on Friday, Akpabio said there was no iota of truth in her allegation, which he described as a deliberate smear campaign to make him look like a bad leader in the eye of the public.

He stated, “This preposterous allegation is not just untrue but entirely fabricated, constituting a highly irresponsible and perilous effort aimed at instigating civil disorder, garnering press coverage, and undermining both the individual and the presidential role within the Senate out of hidden agendas.”

It’s crucial to highlight that this person had earlier lodged an unverified allegation of sexual misconduct against me—a charge they appear to have dropped without providing any rationale. Since their claims didn’t find much support, they have intensified their efforts to spread misleading information, crossing into defamation.

Similarly, Akpabio criticized the ex-lawmaker who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, Elisha Abbo, reaffirming that he was not involved in his dismissal from the National Assembly as alleged.

Abbo was dismissed by a Court of Appeal convened in Abuja on October 16, 2023.

However, the ex-lawmaker, who appeared on a live show on Arise Television on Wednesday, held Akpabio responsible for his current situation.

Consequently, Akpabio requested apologies and corrections from both parties to circumvent pursuing legal action.

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order preventing the senator for Kogi Central Senatorial Zone, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; along with two additional individuals from giving more media statements until the lawsuit initiated by Akpoti-Uduaghan has been resolved.

The court further instructed the Clerk of both the National Assembly and the Senate, along with Senator Neda Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, not to make any statements to the press regarding the lawsuit until after the trial has concluded.

The case was transferred to Justice Binta Nyako by the Federal High Court’s Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, after Justice Obiora Egwuatu withdrew from presiding over it. During the proceedings of this matter, Justice Binta Nyako gave out the order.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated legal proceedings to prevent the Senate from probing her actions. She specifically requested that the court prohibit the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, led by Senator Imasuen, from taking any steps related to potential misconduct allegations against her.

Upon receiving filings from her legal representatives headed by Sanusi Musa (SAN), Justice Egwuatu, on March 4, approved five requests outlined in the urgent motion numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. Among these approvals was Order Number Four, stating that all actions carried out by the defendants throughout the duration of the lawsuit were deemed invalid.

In the ex parte motion, Akpoti-Uduaghan named the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the President of the Senate, and the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee as the first through fourth respondents, respectively.

She requested a temporary restraining order to halt the Senate Committee from proceeding with their inquiry into incidents that took place during the Senate’s session on February 20, as well as a reference made on February 25, until her application for a preliminary injunction could be heard and decided upon.

On March 25, Justice Egwuatu officially stepped down from the case due to accusations of prejudice made by the Senate President.

During the continued proceedings before Judge Nyako, Akpabio’s attorney, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), notified the court that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been participating in press interviews concerning matters linked to the case.

Justice Nyako later instructed both the involved parties and their respective lawyers not to make any media statements until the conclusion of the trial.

“The judge stated that all parties and their counsels should refrain from conducting any press interviews about this case, avoid making social media posts, and decline television appearances. A complete media embargo is mandatory,” he declared.

Justice Nyako stressed that the case was sub judice, stating further, ” Neither the claimant nor the respondents should undertake any actions that might create a fait accompli for the court.”

She cautioned that individuals caught live-streaming the court proceedings would face contempt charges, emphasizing that only reporters who have been granted accreditation and can enter the courthouse’s press center are allowed inside the courtroom.

The hearing was postponed until May 12.

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