SENATOR NATASHA’S ARRAIGNMENT: A TRUTH ON TRIAL
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to appear in court on June 19 over a defamation charge, but the Federal Government seems to be taking sides with Akpabio.
The forthcoming arraignment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on June 19 has stirred both national attention and international curiosity and it’s not solely because of the charge itself, but due to the broader implications it carries for justice and democratic space in Nigeria. While no Nigerian is above the law, the law must not be manipulated into a political instrument to weaken dissent or punish independent voices. If justice becomes a political tool, then no one is safe.
The fact that this case is emerging in the heat of ongoing political tensions makes it difficult for reasonable observers not to question the timing, the urgency, and the cast of individuals being presented as credible witnesses. In a constitutional democracy, perception matters as much as procedure, and this entire proceeding is already battling a credibility crisis.
What is particularly troubling is the inclusion of individuals whose names have, over time, been associated with multiple controversies, now being projected as principal witnesses in a federal prosecution. This raises an important point of law and logic: can a prosecution claim to pursue justice while leaning on testimonies that appear ethically compromised or publicly discredited?
Even more troubling are revelations which were admittedly posted and later deleted by Kenny Okolugbo, a persons closely linked to this matter, which suggest premeditated attempts to influence public perception through unofficial channels. While no conclusive judgment can be made until the court hears all sides, the court of public opinion cannot pretend not to notice what looks, to many, like a coordinated effort to undermine a woman who has shown courage in public life.
This matter is no longer just about defamation but a reflection of how state power, media narratives, and private actors can sometimes converge in ways that threaten the essence of fair hearing. Senator Natasha has consistently denied the allegations and welcomed the opportunity to clear her name in a court of law. That, in itself, is a democratic posture.
What Nigerians now expect is that the court will be allowed to operate without external pressure, and that legal processes will not be used as a veil for political score settling. Any attempt to sacrifice fairness on the altar of influence will not only damage one woman’s name, it will damage the public’s trust in our institutions.
By ILUO DePOET
Lawyer | Speaker | Political Thinker | Pan-African