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Nigerian Senator Claims Shock Over Defamation Charges
A Nigerian senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has expressed surprise at learning about the government’s lawsuit against her through news reports. The lawsuit involves defamation charges, stemming from her accusations against prominent politicians, highlighting ongoing tensions and sparking debate over gender equality in Nigeria’s political landscape. The senator contends that learning about the legal action via media outlets caused her considerable shock, as she had not been officially notified.
Allegations and Counter-Accusations
The government’s action follows allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan in April, wherein she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former state governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to “eliminate” her. Both Akpabio and Bello have refuted these accusations.
Previously, Akpoti-Uduaghan had also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation he also denies.
Senator’s Reaction to the Charges
Upon discovering the defamation charges, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated, “I’m actually shocked… My first reaction when I read it is out of shock, because I have not been served [with papers] until now. I had to read it on the news.”
Details of the Defamation Claim
According to documents reviewed, Nigeria’s attorney general cited a live interview broadcast on Channels TV last month as the basis for the defamation claim.
The Contentious Interview
In the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged the existence of “discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello… to eliminate me.”
The attorney general contends that this statement, along with other remarks made during the broadcast, could potentially damage the reputations of Bello and Akpabio.
Senator Stands by Her Accusations
Despite the charges, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains her allegations, asserting that she had previously reported the alleged threat to her life by Akpabio and Bello to the police.
“Do you understand the twist? I was the one who ran to the police. I made my petitions, I appeared on television, I spoke publicly on the threat to my life,” she explained.
She further added, “Instead, it is the senate president and [former] governor Yahaya Bello’s counter-petition, which is me defaming them, that is being attended to.”
Claims of Intimidation
Akpoti-Uduaghan believes the charges are an attempt to intimidate her and force her into compliance, particularly after her accusation of sexual harassment against Akpabio in February.
“It’s an ill that has been normalised in the society – sexual harassment. But here I am speaking about it… that was my first offence. Natasha is not supposed to speak about it. I’m supposed to bear it as a woman,” she told the BBC.
Gender Dynamics and Political Fallout
This situation underscores the challenges of gender equality in Nigeria, a nation known for its socially conservative values.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of a small minority of women in the Nigerian Senate, holding only one of 109 seats.
Following her sexual harassment accusation against Akpabio, she faced a six-month suspension from the Senate without pay.
The Senate’s ethics committee cited “unruly and disruptive” behavior during the debate of her allegations as the reason for the suspension, though Akpoti-Uduaghan and her supporters argue that she was targeted due to her accusations against the senate president.
A court date has not yet been scheduled in this ongoing legal battle.