The ongoing industrial action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has disrupted court proceedings nationwide—including the highly anticipated defamation trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan .
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2025 , the hearing was postponed due to the strike, which commenced on Monday, May 20, 2025 , as part of the union’s protest over unmet demands.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, West Idahosa, SAN , confirmed that the case could not proceed as planned because of the strike-related shutdown of judicial activities at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court .
A Trial on Hold Amid Judicial Standstill
Idahosa had earlier expressed concerns about whether the federal government would proceed with the arraignment as scheduled. He reiterated that his client remains law-abiding and fully prepared to face the court once proceedings resume.
“As a law-abiding citizen, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan will always comply with court directives,” Idahosa stated.
The trial centers around criminal charges filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar , against the former senator, alleging defamatory statements made during a live TV appearance and a private phone conversation.
Charges Stemming from Alleged Remarks
According to the charge filed on May 16, 2025 , marked CR/297/25 , Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making damaging claims about:
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio
- Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello
During her appearance on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” on April 3, 2025 , she allegedly claimed that Akpabio and Bello discussed plans to eliminate her.
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night—to eliminate me… he then emphasized that I should be killed in Kogi,” the charge quotes her as saying.
Additionally, the prosecution alleges that in a private conversation with Dr. Sandra Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan linked Akpabio to an organ harvesting scandal involving the late Iniubong Umoren , supposedly for the benefit of the Senate President’s ailing wife.
Key Witnesses Named
The case lists Akpabio, Bello, and four others as key prosecution witnesses , indicating the political sensitivity surrounding the matter.
With the judiciary currently at a standstill due to the JUSUN strike , the next hearing date remains uncertain—leaving many to speculate on how this legal drama will unfold.
Call to Action: What’s Your Take?
What are your thoughts on the Natasha Akpoti defamation trial being delayed by the JUSUN strike ? Do you think the strike is justified, or should courts remain open for urgent cases?
💬 Leave a comment below and share your opinion.
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