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Ezekwesili Urges Tinubu to Drop Charges Against Senator Natasha

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to withdraw criminal charges filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

The federal government filed the suit (CR/297/25) on May 16, 2025, in a Federal Capital Territory High Court, accusing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory statements during a live television broadcast. The charges, brought under Section 391 of the Penal Code, allege that the senator made imputations damaging to another person’s reputation, a punishable offence under Section 392.

In a tweet on Saturday, Ezekwesili condemned the charges as an “act of gross irresponsibility, illegality, and irrationality,” accusing the Tinubu administration of colluding with Senator Akpabio to silence and repress Akpoti for political motives.

She urged the President to:

  • Direct the Attorney-General to withdraw the “wrongheaded, frivolous and dangerous” charges by June 3, 2025.
  • Instruct the Inspector-General of Police to investigate twelve petitions filed by Senator Akpoti over alleged threats to her life in the past three months, ensuring appropriate and impartial action.
  • Order the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti’s security personnel, who were withdrawn by the Senate President in what Ezekwesili described as “retaliation, intimidation, and gross abuse of power” following Akpoti’s sexual harassment allegations.

Ezekwesili stressed the urgent need for the government to uphold democratic principles and respect the right to fair hearing, especially for victims speaking out on sexual harassment.

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