Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s arraignment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the move as a dangerous abuse of power that signals Nigeria’s descent toward authoritarianism.
In a post shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Ezekwesili said the country is “fast becoming a Banana Republic” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the arraignment of Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on criminal defamation charges.
The charges, filed by the Federal Government on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stem from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s previous allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
“In a case of gross abuse of power, the Senate President co-opted the Nigerian government to turn the table on Senator Natasha Akpoti, whose demands for fair hearing and independent investigation of her sexual harassment allegations have fallen on deaf ears,” Ezekwesili wrote.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge, which has drawn strong backlash from rights groups, civil society organizations, and members of the public who see the case as an attempt to intimidate and silence a vocal female legislator.
Ezekwesili decried what she called “a wicked act of diversion from the original issue,” insisting that the real matter the sexual harassment petition against Akpabio must not be ignored.
During the court session, federal prosecutors sought to deny Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan bail and remand her in prison, a move that was overruled by Justice Orji, who granted her bail. The trial is now scheduled to begin on September 23, 2025.
Despite the pressure, Ezekwesili praised the senator for her resilience:
“She’s not backing down and continues to insist that her sexual harassment petition against Senator Akpabio is the real issue and must not be swept under the carpet.”
Ezekwesili’s comments reflect a growing wave of public concern over the shrinking space for dissent and the weaponization of state power under the current administration. Many observers have warned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions are under strain, and have called for greater accountability and judicial independence.
