In a democracy, truth should hold power. The judicial process should serve justice, not be weaponized against those who dare to speak up. But in Nigeria today, the Federal Government has made its stance crystal clear – protect the powerful at all costs, even if it means persecuting the very people who seek justice. The Nigerian government’s decision to file criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, rather than investigate the allegations she has made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, raises serious concerns about the abuse of judicial power, with many rightfully viewing it as an attempt to silence a whistleblower rather than hold the accused accountable.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a sitting senator of the Federal Republic, has brought forth damning allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, including evidence of late-night calls, text messages, and a disturbing history of sexual harassment. Her claims should have triggered an urgent and transparent investigation, but instead, the government has responded with something far more insidious—a full-fledged assault on the whistleblower. Rather than probe the senator’s accusations, Nigeria’s Department of Public Prosecutions has filed criminal charges against her, dragging her into court for daring to reveal the horrors she’s endured. The message here is deafeningly loud: speak up, and we will silence you. In the Tinubu administration, judicial power is a shield for the corrupt.
The case against Akpoti-Uduaghan is not just flawed, it is an absolute disgrace. How does a government claim to be democratic while simultaneously punishing those who expose misconduct? How does a nation claim moral authority when it blatantly protects alleged predators rather than investigating them? This is not justice; it is dictatorship disguised as governance. The government’s argument is as flimsy as it is pathetic. Prosecutors allege that Akpoti-Uduaghan made “imputations intended to harm reputations.” But let’s dissect that statement. Reputations are not sacred shields that exempt politicians from scrutiny. If a senator claims she has been harassed and provides evidence, the only reasonable course of action is to investigate – NOT to bully her into silence.
The charges attempt to frame Akpoti-Uduaghan’s revelations as malicious, as though speaking about real, lived experiences is somehow a crime. One charge even accuses her of referencing a historical murder case involving a victim whose organs were allegedly harvested. The government argues that these statements incite public outrage. Of course, they do, because they are outrageous! The people should be outraged, they should demand answers, and they should hold their leaders accountable.
This case highlights a deep rot in Nigeria’s political system; one where power trumps morality, where leaders believe they are untouchable, and where justice is selectively applied to protect the ruling elite. If the judicial process were fair, Akpabio would be answering questions, not Akpoti-Uduaghan. If Nigeria truly valued democracy, this would be an opportunity to prove that no one is above the law. Instead, what we see is a cowardly, shameful attempt to destroy a woman’s credibility simply because she dared to speak against power.
This tactic is not new. We have seen similar strategies play out across the world; silence the victims, crush the opposition, and let corruption flourish. We saw it in Nigeria’s past. We saw it when journalists were jailed for uncovering government fraud, when activists disappeared for demanding reforms, and now; we are seeing it in real time with Akpoti-Uduaghan. This moment is bigger than just one senator. It is about every Nigerian who has ever faced injustice and feared speaking out. It is about the erosion of trust in governance. If Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, an elected official, can be targeted so blatantly, then what hope is there for ordinary Nigerians who suffer abuse in silence?
What precedent does this set for future whistleblowers? It tells them that speaking up is dangerous, that evidence doesn’t matter, and that those in power will always win, no matter what crimes they commit. This case is a test of Nigeria’s democratic integrity. If the courts fail to recognize the absolute absurdity of these charges and proceed with punishing Akpoti-Uduaghan, then Nigeria has effectively declared to the world: We do not care about justice. We care about control.
The fight for truth must continue. The time for empty outrage is over. Nigerians must refuse to let their voices be stifled by political intimidation. They must demand answers from their leaders, insist on accountability, and expose the gross abuse of power unfolding before their eyes. Akpoti-Uduaghan should not be fighting this battle alone. Civil rights groups, opposition parties, and every concerned citizen must rally behind her, not just for her sake, but for the future of Nigeria’s democracy. If this government believes that silencing women, shielding predators, and abusing the judiciary will strengthen its hold on power, it is sorely mistaken. The people are watching, the world is watching, and history will remember. And when justice finally prevails, it won’t be Akpoti-Uduaghan who will be on trial; it will be the Nigerian government, and the shameful legacy of impunity it has created.
