Embattled Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been granted bail on self-recognition in a case involving her and the federal government.
Bellnews reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan made herself available on Monday morning before the Federal High Court in Abuja for her second arraignment over alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The suspended lawmaker, who represented Kogi Central, was accompanied to the court today by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Human Rights activist Aisha Yesufu; and several supporters.
It could be recalled that on June 19 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared before the Federal Capital Territory High Court for the first time on similar charges.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, denied the Federal Government’s request to issue a bench warrant against her for her failure to appear in court during the prior hearing.
Fresh Charges
However, the Federal Government has filed a new six-count charge against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal High Court.
Bellnews reports that in the case designated CR/297/25, the embattled lawmaker, who had previously received a six-month suspension from the Senate, was accused of making a false claim of assassination.
The defendant allegedly claimed that she was the target of an assassination plot by some politicians who disagreed with her. The
Federal Government claims that the lawmaker committed the alleged crime on April 3 during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today and while speaking to her supporters in Kogi state.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was explicitly charged for naming former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Akpabio to the meeting where the plan to assassinate her was hatched.
According to the federal government, the defendant insisted that Bello and Akpabio concur that she should be killed in Kogi state under circumstances that would seem to be a mob action.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim is considered a false imputation that would harm the reputations of both Senator Akpabio and ex-governor Bello, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime Act.
In the meantime, the defendant entered a plea of not guilty after the charge was presented to her before Justice Muhammad Umar, who presided over the trial.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, told the court that he had not submitted any documents to contest her release on bail.
Nevertheless, the DPPF requested that the court utilise its discretion to impose conditions that would ensure the defendant’s presence at her trial.
On behalf of the defendant, counsel Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, stated to the court that he had submitted a bail application on June 20.
Prof. Otaru, SAN, assured the court that his client does not represent a flight risk and would be present for her trial, highlighting that she represents a constituency that includes five Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Furthermore, he pointed out to the judge that an Abuja High Court had previously granted the defendant bail concerning a similar charge, emphasising her status as a senior member of the legal profession.
After considering the arguments from both parties, Justice Umar expressed his inclination to grant the defendant bail on self-recognition.
The trial judge noted that it was undisputed that the defendant is a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and remarked that the charges against her involved bailable offences.
He then adjourned the case until September 22 for further hearing.