BBC Information
BBCA Nigerian senator has informed the BBC she solely learnt that the federal government was suing her “on the information” and that she was “shocked” by the motion taken towards her.
The federal government filed defamation prices towards Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused one of many nation’s high politicians of plotting to kill her.
In April, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former state governor Yahaya Bell needed to “eradicate” her. Each have denied this accusation.
She had beforehand accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her – an allegation he has additionally denied.
After studying of the costs towards her, Akpoti-Uduaghan informed the BBC: “I am truly shocked. My first response after I learn it’s out of shock, as a result of I’ve not been served [with papers] till now. I needed to learn it on the information.”
The BBC has requested the Nigerian authorities for remark.
Within the cost sheet, seen by the BBC, Nigeria’s legal professional common referenced a reside interview broadcast by Nigeria’s Channels TV final month.
Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged within the interview that there have been “discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello… to eradicate me”.
The legal professional common mentioned that this assertion, and others made in the identical broadcast, may hurt Bello and Akpabio’s reputations.
However Akpoti-Uduaghan stands by her allegation. She mentioned she had even gone to the police with the accusation that Akpabio and Bello posed a risk to her life.
“Do you perceive the twist? I used to be the one who ran to the police. I made my petitions, I appeared on tv, I spoke publicly on the risk to my life,” she mentioned.
“As an alternative, it’s the senate president and [former] governor Yahaya Bello’s counter-petition, which is me defaming them, that’s being attended to.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan mentioned the costs had been an try and “intimidate her” and make her “fall in line” after she accused Akabio of sexual harassment in February.
“It is an ailing that has been normalised within the society – sexual harassment. However right here I’m talking about it… that was my first offence. Natasha just isn’t supposed to talk about it. I am presupposed to bear it as a girl,” she informed the BBC.
The costs mark the most recent twist in a row that has engrossed Nigeria, elevating questions on gender equality within the socially conservative nation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is considered one of simply 4 girls out of 109 senators.
After accusing Akabio of sexual harassment, she was suspended from the Senate for six months with out pay.
The Senate’s ethics committee mentioned the suspension was for her “unruly and disruptive” behaviour whereas the Senate was debating her allegations.
Nonetheless, Akpoti-Uduaghan and her supporters argued that the committee was concentrating on her due to the allegations she had made towards the senate president.
No date has been set for her to seem in court docket.
Further reporting by Nkechi Ogbonna and Chukwunaeme Obiejesi in Lagos
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