The legal team representing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised concerns over what it describes as an imbalance in the handling of legal matters involving the senator, following the Federal Government’s filing of charges against her despite several pending petitions she submitted earlier this year.

In a statement, signed by Nwogwugwu Esq. of Queens Law Cradle, the team noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed twelve petitions between March and May 2025.

These petitions, according to the team, address serious concerns such as cyberstalking, threats to life, defamation, and other security-related incidents.

The legal team condemned what they describe as the selective and biased handling of criminal justice by law enforcement agencies.

They raised alarm over the failure of the Nigeria Police Force and other prosecutorial institutions to investigate a series of petitions filed by the senator while swiftly initiating criminal charges against her based on counter-allegations by individuals named in her original complaints.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate, has reportedly filed no fewer than twelve formal petitions over a two-month period, each addressing serious allegations including cyberstalking, defamation, threats to personal safety, and an alleged assassination plot.

According to her legal team, these petitions have either been ignored or received no substantive follow-up, even as criminal charges have now been filed against her by the Federal Government.

Twelve Petitions, Zero Action

The legal team provided a detailed list of the petitions submitted between March 11 and May 19, 2025. These included petitions to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation concerning threats and defamatory conduct allegedly carried out by prominent figures such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, and public figure Dr. Sandra Duru.

Key petitions cited include:

March 11, 2025 – A petition to the IGP regarding cyberstalking and hate speech by Senator Nwebonyi.

March 25, 2025 – A personal petition raising safety concerns involving Senator Akpabio.

April 4, 2025 – A petition exposing an alleged assassination plot implicating Akpabio and Yahaya Bello.

April 28, 2025 – A petition detailing the conspiracy and attempted assassination of her protocol officer, Hon. Jude Sule.

May 19, 2025 – A formal appeal to the Attorney-General over failure by police to investigate prior complaints.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, her legal team states that neither the Police nor any relevant authority has extended an invitation to the Senator or her witnesses for clarification, interviews, or further investigation.

Bias Alleged in Law Enforcement Response

A central theme of the statement is the alleged disparity in treatment by law enforcement. The legal team claims that while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions remain neglected, counter-petitions filed by those she accused—including Akpabio and Bello—have been swiftly acted upon, culminating in criminal charges filed against her.

“This selective response raises deep concerns about biased enforcement of justice,” the statement reads. “Justice must be impartial. The ongoing refusal to investigate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions—many of which implicate key figures and address critical safety concerns—undermines public confidence in due process.”

Out of the country but committed to Due process.

While confirming that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently outside the country on personal engagements, the legal team emphasized that she has been informed of the charges and remains committed to complying with all legal requirements.

“She remains fully committed to due process,” the legal team noted. “In our capacity as part of her legal team, we have received official communication regarding the charges, and she will make herself available at the earliest opportunity once an arraignment date is confirmed.”

Public Support and Condemnation of Charges

In addition to expressing concern over the actions of state institutions, the legal team also acknowledged the growing public outcry over what they described as politically motivated charges against the senator.

“We are encouraged that citizens are publicly condemning the latest development wherein the Federal Government has instead of ensuring that our client is accorded justice now filed an extremely curious criminal charge against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” the statement said.

The statement concluded with a message of resilience from the senator herself, conveyed through her legal counsel: “Our client expresses deep gratitude as she continues to be positive that injustice against her shall not be sustained.”

Ongoing Legal and Political Implications

The matter is expected to spark further political and legal debates in the coming weeks, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s increasingly volatile political climate and the perceived weaponization of security agencies. Observers note that the case could have broader implications for legislative independence, the safety of opposition voices, and the credibility of Nigeria’s judicial process.

As of this report, no official statement has been issued by the Nigeria Police Force, the Attorney-General’s office, or any of the accused figures—Senator Akpabio, Yahaya Bello, or others—regarding the allegations made in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions.