A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on self-recognition following her arraignment on Monday.
The senator appeared before the court to face a six-count charge related to alleged cybercrime offences. Upon hearing the charges, Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The Federal Government accused her of making defamatory and inciting remarks against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
According to the charge sheet, she allegedly claimed that Akpabio had advised Bello to ensure her assassination took place in Kogi State rather than Abuja, to give the impression that locals were responsible.
The prosecution further stated that the senator reiterated the same claims during a televised appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, where she insisted that the conversation between both men included plans to eliminate her.
The government argued that the comments, which were widely circulated online, were knowingly false and aimed at provoking unrest.
It also cited Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, which prohibits the deliberate spread of false information intended to harm reputations or trigger public disorder.
Defending the bail application, lead counsel for Akpoti-Uduaghan, Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), urged the court to grant her bail on the basis of self-recognition, pointing to her status as a senator and senior legal practitioner.
He also noted that the prosecution had not filed any objection to the request.
Justice Mohammed Umar accepted the defence’s submission and granted bail on self-recognition.
The trial has been scheduled to begin on September 22.
MCC had few minutes ago reported that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja for a fresh legal battle, facing accusations of defaming Senate President Godswill Akpabio and ex-Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
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