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Natasha Vs Akpabio: Nigerians React As Ezekwesili Alleges Conspiracy

By Benjamin Abioye

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Ezekwesili Natasha Arraignment

Oby Ezekwesili has condemned the arraignment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a wicked diversion, triggering widespread public reactions and debate.

The arraignment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on criminal defamation charges has sparked a wave of public reactions, following strong criticism from former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, who described the move as “a wicked act of diversion.”

Ezekwesili expressed outrage after Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared before the Federal Capital Territory High Court over a case filed by the federal government on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to her, the entire process was an attempt to silence a woman seeking justice.

“In a case of gross abuse of power, the @SPNigeria @NGRSenate @Senator_Akpabio co-opted the @NigeriaGov to turn the table on Senator @NatashaAkpoti whose demands for fair hearing and independent investigation of her sexual harassment allegations against him have so far fallen on deaf ears,” she said in a post on 𝕏.

Reacting to the post, several Nigerians echoed Ezekwesili’s sentiment, commending her for standing for truth. @ehijeff wrote:
“Thank you so much ma for standing by the truth & justice always…
@NatashaAkpoti will prevail in all her travels.”

Another user, @DouglasAgbo, questioned the legal basis of the charges:
“Ma, I know you’re a lawyer and please help me explain when defamation take enter criminal? It’s only in Nigerian lexicon have I heard such words.”

Ezekwesili emphasized that the arraignment was an attempt to dodge accountability.
“It is a wicked act of diversion from the original issue… by the powerful who are sending a signal to Nigerian citizens that they also will be oppressed and silenced should they ever dare speak up like the Kogi Senator.”

Supporters of the senator echoed this concern. @soloreal3 declared:
“This injustice shall not be sustained. @NatashaAkpoti you are not alone and to law-abiding Nigerians we shall all stand up for her.”

In her remarks, Ezekwesili narrated how the government’s lawyers asked the court to deny Akpoti-Uduaghan bail and remand her until trial.
“The height of irony in a Nigeria fast being turned into a Banana Republic by @officialABAT and his political cronies was that the FG lawyers filed and argued that Senator Uduaghan be denied bail…”

But the presiding judge, Justice Orji, granted bail, and Akpoti-Uduaghan fulfilled the conditions the same day.
“You needed to have seen the energetic response of her Constituents and other citizen-supporters. It was so heartening,” Ezekwesili added.

The senator, through her official 𝕏 handle, acknowledged the public support:
“Many thanks dear ma @obyezeks… and many other well-meaning Nigerians especially my fellow Kogi Central and Kogi state indigenes. My heart is grateful.”

However, not all responses were in support of Ezekwesili’s position. Some users demanded that Akpoti-Uduaghan prove her sexual harassment allegations in court.
@Momonny1 said:
“It is good she is finally in court… it is now time for her to produce all her evidence at the right place.”

Others questioned the direction of the case. @OpeyemiAsaolu78 argued:
“The sexual harassment issue was not original, but rather a diversion from the original issue of unruly behaviour in the Senate chambers.”

Despite the divided views, Ezekwesili insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s core petition must not be lost in the drama.
“She’s not backing down and continues to insist that her sexual harassment petition against @Senator_Akpabio is The Issue that cannot be ignored regardless of the shenanigans of those that seek to silence her.”

The trial is scheduled to begin on September 23, 2025.
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