A Nigerian senator told the BBC that she was only informing the government was prosecuting her “news” and was “shocked” by the actions taken against her.
The government accused Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan of allegations of defamation, accusing one of the country’s top politicians of murdering her.
In April, Akpoti-uduaghan claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bell wanted to “eliminate” her. Both sides denied the allegation.
She had previously accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her – an allegation he also denied.
After learning about her allegations against her, Akputi-Udoahhan told the BBC: “I was actually shocked. When I read it, my first reaction was shocked because I haven't received my service yet [with papers] so far. I had to read it on the news. ”
A spokesman for the Senate president said they had “executive of reasonable doubt” that she had obtained court documents.
He added that he hopes Akpoti-uduaghan can use the next court hearing to prove her allegations.
A special counsel in the Senate Presidential Office later told the BBC that Akpabio “had not been involved in the investigation, recommendation or prosecution decision” and filed the charges after the police investigation.
In the charge form, seen by the BBC, Nigeria's Attorney General quoted a live interview with Nigeria Channel TV last month.
Akpoti-uduaghan alleged in the interview that “Akpabio had a discussion with Yahaya Bello to eliminate me”.
The attorney general said the claim, along with the statements made by others on the same broadcast, could hurt Belo and Akpabio's reputation.
But Akpoti-uduaghan insisted on her allegations. She said she even went to police on charges that Akpabio and Bello posed a threat to her life.
“Do you understand this twist? I'm the one who ran to the police. I filed a petition, I showed up on TV, I talked openly about the threat to my life,” she said.
“On the contrary, it is the President of the Senate and [former] Governor Yahaya Bello's antagonism, it's me slandering them, it's taking care of them. ”
Akpoti-uduaghan said the allegations were an attempt to “terrorize her” and put her in a “ditch” after accusing Akabio of sexual harassment in February.
She told the BBC: “It's a disease that normalizes in society – sexual harassment. But here I'm talking about … that's my first offense. Natasha shouldn't talk about it. I should bear it as a woman.”
Akabio's legal counsel once again denied the allegations: “His claim to use 'authorized authorities' to unfairly target anyone is unfounded, unproven, and defamatory.”
The allegations mark the latest twist that has brought Nigeria full attention and raised questions about gender equality in socially conservative countries.
Akpoti-uduaghan is one of only four women out of the 109 senators.
She was suspended for six months and had no salary after accusing Akabio of sexual harassment.
The Senate Ethics Committee said the moratorium was for her “unruly and destructive” behavior, while the Senate is debating her allegations.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan and her supporters believe that the committee’s goal is her goal due to her allegations against the Senate president.
No date has been set for her to appear in court.
Other reports by Nkechi Ogbonna and Chukwunaeme Obiejesi
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