Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday over allegations of defaming President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The charges, brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, comprise three counts related to alleged injurious falsehoods against both political figures.
According to the charge filed on May 15, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making damaging allegations against Akpabio and Bello, including claims of a conspiracy to harm her and an imputation linking Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniubong Umoren.
Appearing before Justice Chisoba Oji, Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Her legal counsel, Professor Roland Otaru, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), immediately applied for bail, arguing that the application had been properly filed and responded to by the prosecution.
Otaru urged the court to grant bail on the grounds that the defendant poses no flight risk and would not obstruct investigations or witness testimonies.
He emphasized that under Nigerian law, an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In response, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe opposed the bail request, citing alleged difficulties in effecting service of the court summons on the defendant.
Justice Oji, in her ruling, granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in the same amount, asserting that the surety must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge noted that the offences were not capital in nature and upheld the principle of presumption of innocence.
The case was adjourned until September 23, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
