A dispute involving Kogi legislator Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the federal government has resulted in her being granted bail on self-recognition.
According to reports, Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared in court on Monday morning for her second arraignment in connection with the alleged defamation of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kogi Central’s suspended lawmaker was joined in court today by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan; human rights advocate Aisha Yesufu; and a number of supporters.
Perhaps you remember Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initial appearance before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on similar accusations on June 19, 2025.
The Federal Government sought to issue a bench warrant against her for her nonattendance at the previous hearing, but the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, rejected the motion.
New Charges
But the Federal High Court has received a fresh six-count complaint against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Federal Government.
The troubled legislator, who had already been suspended from the Senate for six months, was charged with making a false claim of assassination in the case known as CR/297/25, according to Naija News.
According to the defendant, several politicians who didn’t agree with her were planning to have her killed. The one that
The legislator allegedly committed the crime on April 3 while addressing her supporters in Kogi state and during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today, according to the Federal Government.
In particular, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of inviting Senate President Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to the meeting where the assassination plan was developed.
The federal government claims that the defendant demanded that Bello and Akpabio agree that she should be slain in Kogi state in what appeared to be a mob action.
According to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime Act, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim is deemed a false imputation that will damage the reputations of Senator Akpabio and former Governor Bello.
Meanwhile, the charge was submitted to the defendant before the trial’s judge, Justice Muhammad Umar, who subsequently entered a not guilty plea.
Mohammed Abubakar, the Federation’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPPF), informed the judge that he had not filed any paperwork challenging her release on bond.
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However, in order to guarantee the defendant’s attendance at her trial, the DPPF asked the court to use its discretion to impose conditions.
Counsel Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, informed the court that the defendant had filed a bail application on June 20.
Prof. Otaru, SAN, emphasized that his client represents a constituency that encompasses five Local Government Areas (LGAs) and gave the court his word that she does not pose a flight risk. He also promised to be there for her trial.
Additionally, he emphasized to the judge that the defendant was a senior member of the legal profession by pointing out that an Abuja High Court had previously granted her bail in relation to a similar accusation.
Justice Umar stated his preference to release the offender on self-recognition after weighing the reasons made by both sides.
The defendant’s status as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was acknowledged by the trial judge, who also mentioned that the allegations against her included offenses that may be resolved by bail.
He then postponed the matter until September 22 in order to give it more time to be heard.
