Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Thursday arraigned at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges, brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, allege that Akpoti-Uduaghan made “harmful imputations” in a three-count criminal case.
Accompanied to court by her husband and supporters, the embattled senator pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to her.
Following her plea, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, urged Justice Chisoba Oji to remand her in custody pending the outcome of the trial.
However, her lawyer, Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), requested to move a bail application already served and contested.
In his argument, Otaru appealed to the court to consider granting bail, stating:
“The suspended senator is not a flight risk and would not interfere with the police investigation and witnesses.”
He further emphasized that the Constitution presumes her innocent and noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, encourages bail in such cases.
The prosecution, however, opposed the request. Kaswe argued that securing service of the charge had been difficult and urged the court not to grant bail:
“The prosecution had taken great efforts and encountered difficulties before the defendant could be served with the charge.”
After hearing both sides, Justice Oji ruled in favour of the defendant, noting that the offence is not capital and that the law presumes innocence at this stage.
“The alleged offence was not a capital one and the law presumes her innocent for now,” the judge ruled.
She granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million and one surety in the same amount.
The surety, the judge ordered, must own a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case, marked CR/297/25, was filed on May 15, 2025, and the judge fixed September 23, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.
According to the charge sheet:
Count One accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of making a harmful imputation against Senate President Akpabio, alleging he conspired with Yahaya Bello to have her killed, a claim she allegedly knew would damage his reputation.
Count Two similarly alleges she made harmful statements about Yahaya Bello, knowing it would tarnish his image.
Count Three claims she linked Akpabio to the death of Miss Imoren Iniubong, again asserting that she knew such a statement would harm his reputation.
