BREAKING NEWS: Federal Government Files Criminal Charges Against Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

In a development that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s political and judicial landscape, the Federal Government has formally filed criminal charges against the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday evening, follow months of simmering political tension, investigative probes, and public speculation over the embattled senator’s alleged misconduct.

According to court documents obtained by our correspondent, the charges—comprising counts related to alleged economic crimes, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy—represent the most high-profile indictment of a sitting or recently sitting female legislator in recent Nigerian history. Though details remain under judicial seal pending arraignment, sources within the Ministry of Justice confirm the charges stem from an extended investigation involving multiple federal agencies.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer and businesswoman-turned-politician, made headlines in 2023 when she became the first woman elected to represent Kogi Central Senatorial District. However, her tenure has been marred by controversy, culminating in her suspension from the Nigerian Senate earlier this year following a heated ethics investigation.

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While the Federal Ministry of Justice has yet to publicly detail the full scope of the charges, officials close to the process have described the matter as “serious and sensitive,” citing the potential for political destabilization if not handled judiciously.

“We are not trying a gender; we are trying an individual accused of breaching the law,” one senior legal officer stated under condition of anonymity. “Nigeria must get to a place where public office holders are held accountable—irrespective of status, gender, or influence.”

Legal experts note that the case could have wide-ranging implications not only for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political future but also for how Nigeria navigates issues of gender accountability, media influence, and political smear tactics.

The charges have reignited fierce debates across Nigeria and the diaspora about the role of gender in governance and justice. Among the most vocal figures weighing in on the development is Prof. Mgbeke / Dr. Sandra C. Duru, a well-known motivational speaker, activist, and advocate for truth, justice, and balanced gender discourse.

In a statement shared with her global audience via social media shortly after news of the charges broke, Prof. Mgbeke expressed a deep sense of spiritual relief and moral vindication:

“At last, I can return fully to my mission—spreading light, sharing truth, and posting my daily dose of motivational and inspirational guidance to uplift souls worldwide! To God alone be all the glory!”

She continued:

“May the Almighty bless and strengthen every lover of truth and justice across the globe. The battle is the Lord’s, and victory belongs to the righteous! Say NO to FALSE ALLEGATIONS! Say NO to GENDER WEAPONIZATION AGAINST MEN! Say NO to MALICIOUS SMEAR CAMPAIGNS AND BLACKMAIL!”

The statement is being widely interpreted as a reference to previous public clashes between Prof. Mgbeke and supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, some of whom had accused male figures and female critics alike of orchestrating targeted attacks against the senator.

Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan rose to national prominence as a social justice advocate and founder of the Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP), a non-governmental initiative aimed at economic empowerment in underdeveloped regions of Nigeria. She entered politics with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before later aligning with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which sponsored her 2023 senatorial bid.

Her campaign was widely seen as groundbreaking. A woman running in a traditionally conservative, male-dominated northern constituency won not just the election, but admiration from sections of the Nigerian youth, civil society, and global observers of African democracy.

Yet, critics began raising red flags shortly after she assumed office. Reports of financial irregularities, conflicts of interest in contracts awarded within her constituency, and a persistent failure to declare assets in full compliance with the Code of Conduct Bureau began to cloud her achievements.

By early 2025, internal Senate probes, fueled by petitions from civil society and whistleblowers, led to her suspension from the upper chamber, pending the outcome of investigations. The Federal Government’s decision to now file criminal charges marks the latest and most serious phase of the saga.

In downtown Lokoja and the wider Kogi Central region, the public reaction has been mixed. While many of her supporters insist the charges are politically motivated and amount to a vendetta against a strong female voice, others say justice must take its course.

“It is a shame. She was a symbol of hope for women in this area, but if she committed crimes, she should face the consequences,” said Zainab Audu, a teacher and resident of Okene.

Conversely, Ibrahim Yusuf, a PDP youth leader in Ajaokuta, rejected the charges outright. “This is all part of the plan to silence women in politics. The system never gave her a chance. Her only crime is being outspoken.”

Social media, too, has been a battleground. Hashtags such as #JusticeForNatasha, #TruthPrevails, and #SayNoToSmearCampaigns trended simultaneously on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting the polarized reactions.

For Prof. Mgbeke, who describes herself as a truth-seeker, spiritual leader, and motivational guide, the moment is larger than a single legal battle. In numerous interviews and inspirational posts over the past year, she has consistently warned about the dangers of weaponizing gender for political survival.

“False allegations do not empower women—they destroy the credibility of real victims and dilute the pursuit of justice,” she once posted in a video that has since resurfaced and gone viral.

Her critics, however, accuse her of being overly sympathetic to powerful male figures and using her platform to discredit female politicians she disagrees with. Still, her supporters say her stance is principled and rooted in fairness, not bias.

“The truth is like a lion,” she recently wrote. “You don’t have to defend it. Let it loose, and it will defend itself.”

The legal community is already bracing for what is expected to be a highly publicized trial. Several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have indicated interest in monitoring or participating in the proceedings.

Barrister Uche Nnaji, a constitutional lawyer, told this publication that the case presents “a defining test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption and justice system.”

“This will not only be about the facts of the case,” he said, “but also about whether the judiciary can remain impartial in the face of public sentiment and political pressure.”

Others, like rights advocate Chinenye Aroh, caution that the matter must not devolve into a trial by media.

“There must be no witch-hunt, no trial by headlines. We want transparency, fairness, and due process for both the accused and the accusers.”

A striking element in the reactions from figures like Prof. Mgbeke has been the spiritual framing of the situation. Phrases such as “The battle is the Lord’s” and “Victory belongs to the righteous” echo a growing trend in Nigerian public discourse—where political and legal conflicts are often couched in terms of spiritual warfare.

To some, this language is a source of hope and strength. To others, it represents a troubling fusion of religion and politics that distracts from facts and accountability. Still, in a country where faith is deeply entwined with public life, it’s unlikely that this rhetoric will abate any time soon.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to appear in court within the next week, where she will be formally arraigned. Her legal team, sources say, is preparing a vigorous defense and may file preliminary objections to challenge the jurisdiction or validity of the charges.

Meanwhile, political observers warn that the fallout from this case may extend far beyond the courtroom. The PDP, already fractured at the national level, could face renewed scrutiny over its vetting and support systems. Civil society organizations are likely to ramp up calls for transparency in campaign financing and public office conduct.

For Prof. Mgbeke and others committed to what they call “the global movement for truth and justice,” the case represents a moment of moral clarity.

“We are not celebrating anyone’s downfall,” she clarified in a follow-up statement. “We are simply affirming that lies cannot endure forever. The truth, no matter how long suppressed, will rise—and when it does, let every deceiver tremble.”

The criminal charges filed against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan mark a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution—one that touches on the roles of gender, justice, accountability, and public influence. Whether the case results in conviction, acquittal, or dismissal, it will shape conversations about female leadership, legal equity, and political integrity for years to come.

As the nation watches, one thing is certain: in Nigeria’s complex dance of power and truth, no story is ever truly over until the people—and the law—have had their say.