Defamation: Falana urges Akpabio to sue without involving police

Defamation: Falana urges Akpabio to sue without involving police

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has urged Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to pursue a libel suit in court rather than involving the police in his dispute with suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This comes after Akpabio filed a petition with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking an investigation into accusations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at a rally in Kogi State on April 1, 2025.

In her remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly suggested that Akpabio was the target of an assassination plot.

Akpabio responded by denying the allegations and calling for her prosecution for criminal defamation.

READ ALSO:

• US announces new visa requirements for Nigerian applicants
• Troops repel terrorists’ ambush in Borno major city
• Bauchi man arrested for impregnating 17-year-old daughter

However, in a statement on Friday, Falana advised against using the police for what he described as a politically motivated civil matter. Drawing from a Court of Appeal ruling, Falana emphasized the importance of allowing public officials to tolerate criticism and, where necessary, resorting to civil suits rather than criminal investigations.

“If Senator Akpabio feels defamed by the statement, he should be advised to institute a libel suit in the appropriate High Court,” Falana said.

He further warned against diminishing the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution and urged against using state machinery to intimidate political opponents.

Defamation: Falana urges Akpabio to sue without involving police