Womanifesto Denounces Judicial Harassment Akpoti-Uduaghan, Demands Immediate End To Intimidation

Womanifesto, a prominent coalition of Nigerian women’s groups, has strongly condemned the recent attempts to silence Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan through what they describe as a coordinated and politically motivated legal assault. The group has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing judicial harassment, warning that this is not just an attack on one individual but a threat to the voice and rights of all Nigerian women.

The situation escalated dramatically on June 16, 2025, when a large contingent of armed police—reportedly arriving in ten truckloads—attempted to arrest Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal High Court in Abuja without prior formal notification of any new lawsuit. This aggressive move was thwarted by the timely intervention of a vigilant lawyer, exposing what Womanifesto calls a “sinister plot to muzzle a dissenting female voice.”

Co-Convener of Womanifesto, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi,stated, “This is not just an attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan; it is an assault on every Nigerian woman who dares to speak truth to power. The blatant disregard for due process and the use of state machinery to intimidate a sitting senator is a dangerous precedent that threatens our democracy and the rights of women nationwide.”

The group made up of over 60 women’s group noted that the charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan arise from statements she made concerning Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. They further noted that the federal government’s direct involvement in prosecuting what appears to be a personal defamation case has sparked serious concerns about the politicization of the judiciary and the misuse of state power for private vendettas.

Womanifesto emphasised that the harassment of Akpoti-Uduaghan symbolises a broader attempt to silence Nigerian women and suppress their voices in political discourse. “The Nigerian government is sending a clear message: women are to be seen and not heard, especially when challenging powerful male figures,”

Akiyode-Afolabi explained. “We understand this message clearly, and we refuse to accept it.”
The coalition also highlighted the flagrant disregard for due process, noting the attempt to arrest the senator without proper legal procedures and the duplication of charges in multiple courts. “The judiciary must remain independent and not be weaponized for political vendettas,” said Akiyode-Afolabi. “This egregious abuse of court processes undermines public trust in our legal system.”

Womanifesto called for an immediate cessation of all forms of intimidation against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that her right to express her views on matters of public interest and alleged harassment must be protected. The coalition also urged Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community to unite in solidarity in defense of democracy, human rights, and women’s voices in Nigeria.

“This calculated move to intimidate women from speaking out against injustice—whether it be sexual harassment or political corruption—is unacceptable,” Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi added. “We will resist with every fiber of our being.”