Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday granted Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a ₦50m bail after she pleaded not guilty for alleged defamation.
The female lawmaker was granted bail with one surety, who must have a landed property in Abuja and must be a responsible resident of the FCT.
The judge adjourned the case to September 23, 2025 for trial.
Earlier, the lawmaker was arraigned by the Federal Government on three counts bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Security operatives were visible around the court, with the proceeding attended by the lawmaker’s husband, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili; activist Aisha Yesufu; and numerous supporters.
Given her plea, the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, asked Justice Orji to remand her to prison till the determination of the charge.
However, Natasha’s lawyer, Roland Otaru, sought and got permission to move the bail application for the defendant on the grounds that it was matured for hearing having been served on the prosecution and having joined issues with each other.
In moving the bail application, Otaru urged the judge to exercise her discretion in favour of the defendant.
He argued that the suspended senator was not a flight risk and would not interfere with police investigation and witnesses.
Besides, he submitted that the Constitution of the country presumed her innocence, while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 emphasised bail in such an offense.
On his part, the prosecuting lawyer urged the judge to refuse the bail application, adding that the prosecution made great efforts and encountered difficulties before the defendant could be served with the charge.
However, in her ruling, Justice Orji noted that the alleged offense was not a capital one and that the law presumes her innocence for now.
She admitted her to bail in the sum of ₦50m and one reasonable surety in the like sum.
The judge held that the surety must be the owner of land property within the jurisdiction of the court.
Meanwhile, September 23, 2025 has been fixed for the commencement of trial
The government accused the Senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing Section 391 of the penal code, CAP 89, laws of the federation, 1990. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
The list of witnesses showed that Akpabio and Bello would testify during the trial.
One of the charges was linked to an allegation by Akpoti-Uduaghan, wherein she accused the Senate President and the former Kogi governor of plotting to assassinate her.
The government accused the Senator of having, in a television interview, made an imputation concerning Akpabio, saying that, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.
“Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. He then emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.
In count two, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of “Making an imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under Section 392 of the same Law.
She was also accused of having, on or about March 27, 2025, during a two-way telephone conversation with one Sandra C. Duru in Abuja, made certain imputations concerning Akpabio.
The female lawmaker pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
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