Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday morning for her second arraignment over allegations of defamation involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The senator was accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, prominent activist Aisha Yesufu, and a group of supporters.
Presiding over the case is Justice Mohammed Umar, who is expected to handle proceedings related to the alleged statements made by Senator Natasha during a televised interview.
According to the charge sheet, she had claimed that both Akpabio and Bello were involved in a plot to assassinate her.
This marks her second appearance in court over the matter. She was first arraigned on June 19, 2025, at the FCT High Court, also in Abuja.
At the previous hearing, the Federal Government sought a bench warrant for her arrest due to her absence.
However, the judge declined the request after it was revealed by the prosecution’s lawyer, David Kaswe, that the charge had only been served on her lawyer in court that same morning.
Justice Umar ruled that since Senator Natasha had not been properly served with a hearing notice or charge beforehand, it was unreasonable to expect her presence in court at that time.
The application for her arrest was therefore denied.
The lawsuit was filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, accusing the senator of defamation stemming from her public allegations during a live TV appearance.
Stay tuned for more detail….
