How Nigeria’s Justice Minister Turned the State into a Weapon Against a Whistleblower
May 28, 2025
A chilling silence is creeping through Nigeria, one that threatens the foundation of our democracy. It is the silence that follows impunity, the silence that deepens when power is abused, and the silence that grows loudest when a nation chooses fear over justice.
In March 2024, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan took an extraordinary step by submitting a formal petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. But rather than investigate the allegation, the Senate, under Akpabio’s leadership, swiftly suspended her within 24 hours. The message was clear: in Nigeria, a woman who dares to call out the powerful will be punished, not protected.
Within hours of her suspension, her security details were withdrawn, her official privileges revoked, and she was left publicly exposed, isolated like a target. But Senator Natasha did not retreat. She went to Channels Television and spoke out, declaring that her life was in danger and directly naming Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as individuals she feared.
This wasn’t a political stunt. It was the plea of a cornered citizen, a whistleblower clinging to the last refuge available in a democracy: the court of public opinion. Weeks later, her home in Kogi was invaded by armed men. By sheer grace, she wasn’t present, otherwise, we might be mourning today.
Instead of Protection, Prosecution
One would expect swift action by the government to investigate the allegations and ensure the senator’s safety. Instead, what did the Federal Government do? Nothing. No investigation. No official condemnation. No reassurance to a threatened lawmaker.
Shockingly, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, took an entirely different route: he filed criminal defamation charges against Senator Natasha before the Federal High Court in Abuja, “on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Pause and think. A sitting senator accused two powerful individuals of sexual harassment and threat to life, and instead of shielding her, the Nigerian state, through the AGF, decided to prosecute her.
Who Sent Fagbemi?
President Tinubu, by all indications, did not authorize this action. So who did? On whose behalf is Fagbemi acting? Because under the law, defamation is not a crime against the state unless the state itself is the injured party. In this case, Natasha’s allegations were against Akpabio and Yahaya Bello, two powerful individuals who have every right to file a civil defamation suit if they feel maligned.
Akpabio is not a helpless street hawker. Yahaya Bello has a battalion of lawyers, unless he’s too busy evading the EFCC. They do not need the AGF to carry their legal baggage, let alone weaponize state machinery against a whistleblower.
So again, who sent Fagbemi? And who authorised him to act in the name of 200 million Nigerians in what is clearly a private matter?
This Is Not Justice, This Is Tyranny
This development represents a dangerous abuse of power. It is the weaponisation of the Nigerian state to silence dissent. It is an attempt to criminalise whistleblowing, free speech, and democratic accountability.
By launching this suit, the Attorney General has crossed a red line that no public official in a democracy should cross. He has effectively converted the judiciary into a political hit squad. He has made the state a pawn in personal vendettas.
No law empowers the AGF to initiate criminal defamation proceedings on behalf of the Nigerian people without a legitimate injury to the state. If Natasha is to be sued at all, it must be in a civil court by her accusers, not in a criminal dock under false pretenses.
This is not just illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is unjust. It is dangerous.
This Fight is Bigger Than Natasha
Let’s be clear: this is no longer about Senator Natasha alone. It is about the future of our democracy. If they succeed in using the instruments of the state to silence her, they will come for journalists, activists, students, and everyday Nigerians next.
Today it’s Natasha. Tomorrow it could be you, for a tweet, a blog post, a Facebook comment, or a press statement. If we normalize this, we’re not just undermining free speech, we are signing away our right to exist in a free society.
Fagbemi must explain under whose authority he acted. And if the President truly was kept in the dark, he must now speak out, loud and clear. Silence from the presidency will be interpreted as complicity.
Conclusion: Democracy on Trial
This is not politics anymore, this is democracy on trial. And if we allow state institutions to be turned into private weapons, if we allow justice to be hijacked by vendettas, if we allow citizens to be punished for speaking up, then we have no right to call ourselves a democratic republic.
Let this case be a turning point. Not just for Natasha, but for Nigeria.
Upon reviewing available information, several key assertions in the article require clarification or correction:
Key Facts and Clarifications
- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment Allegation
In February 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment during a televised interview. She alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his residence in December 2023. Akpabio has denied these allegations.
- Senate’s Response to the Petition
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a formal petition to the Senate regarding the alleged harassment. However, the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges dismissed the petition on procedural grounds, stating that it violated Senate rules because she personally signed it instead of having it endorsed by another senator.
- Suspension from the Senate
In March 2025, the Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. The suspension was officially attributed to her alleged misconduct, including refusal to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, and making abusive remarks against Senate leadership. The Senate stated that the suspension was not related to her sexual harassment allegations.
- Alleged Home Invasion
There are reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s home in Kogi State was invaded by unknown armed men. However, specific details about the incident, including the date and outcomes, are limited in the available sources. Further verification from credible news outlets is necessary to confirm this event.
- Criminal Charges Filed by the Attorney General
In May 2025, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, filed criminal defamation charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on behalf of the Federal Government. The charges relate to her allegations against Senate President Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The legal basis for the Attorney General’s action, particularly filing on behalf of the state in a matter involving personal allegations, has been a subject of public debate.
- President Tinubu’s Involvement
There is no public record or official statement indicating that President Bola Tinubu authorized or was aware of the Attorney General’s decision to file criminal charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The extent of the President’s involvement or knowledge remains unclear based on the available information.
Legal Considerations
In Nigeria, defamation is typically addressed as a civil matter between individuals. The filing of criminal defamation charges by the Attorney General on behalf of the state in a case involving personal allegations is unusual and has raised questions about the appropriate use of state power in private disputes. Legal experts have expressed concerns over this approach, suggesting that it may set a concerning precedent for freedom of expression and the role of state institutions in personal matters.
Ultimately,
While the article captures the tension and controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations and subsequent legal challenges, certain claims, such as the President being kept in the dark or the specifics of the home invasion, require further substantiation from credible sources. The situation underscores the complex interplay between individual rights, institutional procedures, and the use of state power in Nigeria’s political landscape.
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
Leave a comment