Rita Odafe
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal advisors have raised alarms about what they perceive as discriminatory justice, criticizing the Federal Government for initiating criminal charges against her while disregarding numerous reports she submitted this year.
In the statement released on Wednesday, May 28, by her lawyer, Uju Nwoduwu, it was revealed that at least twelve petitions were lodged by the senator between March and May 2025.
The filed complaints range from claims of cyberbullying, slander, threats to personal safety, to an attempted assassination. Despite the serious nature of these claims, her legal team noted a lack of engagement from the Nigeria Police Force or any other relevant security bodies.
“The public rightfully expects law enforcement and prosecutorial institutions to adhere to standards of fairness, due process, and impartiality—no matter the persons involved,” the statement emphasized.
The attorneys highlighted a significant concern that “while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions are left unanswered, counterclaims from those she has implicated—including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello—have been met with prompt action, leading to criminal charges against the senator.
“This evident imbalance raises profound questions about a biased and inconsistent application of justice,” they asserted, pointing out that some of the petitions involve high-ranking officials and severe matters such as an attempted kidnapping and assassination of a protocol officer.
While Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently overseas for personal matters, her legal team confirmed that she has been officially informed about the charges and intends to present herself for arraignment as soon as a court date is established.
“She remains steadfast in her dedication to due process,” the statement concluded, also expressing gratitude to the public who have voiced concerns over what they described as “a highly questionable criminal charge.”
