In a fiery denunciation of the ongoing legal travails of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration for allegedly enabling the weaponisation of state power under the guise of justice.
Taking to her verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, the respected public policy advocate lashed out at what she called a “brazen abuse of power” orchestrated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with the active support of federal institutions. She warned that the country’s global reputation is sinking as a result.
> “The incredulous arraignment of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan before the FCT High Court for ‘criminal defamation’ — simply because she spoke out about sexual harassment and threats to her life — has made Nigeria a global laughing stock,” Ezekwesili declared.
The former minister expressed outrage over the clandestine nature of the proceedings, describing them as a judicial ambush. According to her, one of the senator’s lawyers only stumbled upon the case file inside the courtroom on the very day of the hearing — June 16, ironically observed worldwide as Father’s Day, a day set aside to honour protection and responsibility.
> “On a day meant to celebrate responsible fatherhood, the Nigerian state was instead busy persecuting a woman seeking justice and safety,” she lamented.
Ezekwesili further revealed that the same charges were secretly refiled at the Federal High Court — again, without notifying the senator.
> “Imagine how atrocious it was to discover that the Federal Government stealthily refiled the same matter — without her knowledge or proper service. This is not law; this is persecution disguised as prosecution,” she said.
The accusations against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stem from her explosive claim during a television interview that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were allegedly plotting to harm her. The state has since charged her with criminal defamation and dissemination of false information.
However, the backlash has been fierce, particularly from women’s rights advocates and civil society organisations, who see the charges as an attempt to silence a vocal woman confronting the power structure.
> “The government has unwisely inserted itself into an already disgraceful saga — a Senate President shamelessly dodging an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations. Instead of probing the claims, they are persecuting the whistleblower. This is against every known tenet of justice,” Ezekwesili thundered.
She did not mince words in her direct appeal to President Tinubu:
> “What exactly is going on, Mr. President? Your government was prepared to arrest a woman seeking justice for herself. Is this the Nigeria you promised to build?”
In a poignant declaration of solidarity, Ezekwesili concluded:
> “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will not walk alone. This saga is now beyond Senator Natasha — it is the Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Tinubu, versus the Nigerian people.”
“Bring it on,” she ended defiantly.
The incident has sparked growing calls for accountability, judicial independence, and an end to political intimidation. As the storm gathers, many now see the case as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic struggle — not just for one woman, but for the soul of the nation.
PIONEER NEWS 