The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue what it described as a politically motivated defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The appeal comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday declined a request by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant against the senator, who is facing charges reportedly filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

SERAP made its demand via its official X account, referencing President Tinubu’s recent Democracy Day commitment to uphold citizens’ rights.

“Following his expressed commitment on June 12, we call on President Bola Tinubu to promptly direct Nigeria’s Attorney-General to immediately discontinue the case(s) against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is targeted simply for the peaceful exercise of her human rights,” SERAP said.

At the Monday hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. D.D. Kasue, informed the court that although the charge had been served to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representative earlier that morning, the senator had failed to appear in person. He subsequently requested the court to issue a bench warrant against her. The court, however, declined and instead adjourned the matter.

The senator, representing Kogi Central before her suspension, has long alleged political harassment from state and federal authorities, particularly for her outspokenness on corruption and security issues.

Critics have accused the government of weaponising the justice system to silence dissent. Human rights advocates say the case against Akpoti-Uduaghan is part of a growing pattern of targeting political opposition and whistleblowers under the guise of legal redress.

As public pressure mounts, the Tinubu administration is yet to respond to SERAP’s demand. However, political observers say the president’s handling of the case may be viewed as a litmus test of his commitment to democratic norms and the rule of law.