In a lawsuit between the federal government and embattled Kogi legislator Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, she was granted bail on self-recognition at the same time.
On Monday morning, Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared in the Federal High Court in Abuja for her second arraignment in connection with the alleged defamation of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, according to reports.
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu, her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and a number of supporters followed the suspended lawmaker, who represented Kogi Central, to the court today.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court previously heard Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initial appearance on similar allegations on June 19, 2025.
Because she did not show up for the previous hearing, the Federal Government requested a bench warrant against her, but the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, dismissed the request.
Recent Charges
At the Federal High Court, however, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a fresh six-count allegation brought by the Federal Government.
In the case known as CR/297/25, the troubled lawmaker—who had already been suspended by the Senate for six months—was charged with fabricating a false accusation of assassination, according to Naija News.
Some politicians who didn’t agree with her allegedly plotted her killing, according to the defendant. What’s
The legislator is accused by the federal government of committing the alleged crime on April 3 while addressing her supporters in Kogi state and during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
It was specifically alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan invited Senate President Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to the meeting where the assassination plan was developed.
Under what appears to be a mob action, the defendant demanded that Bello and Akpabio agree that she should be killed in Kogi state, according to the federal government.
The assertion made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, is deemed to be a false imputation that will damage the reputations of Senator Akpabio and former Governor Bello, a violation of Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime Act.
Justice Muhammad Umar, who oversaw the trial, presented the defendant with the charge and she pleaded not guilty in the interim.
According to Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), he had not filed any paperwork challenging her release on bail.
The DPPF did, however, ask the court to use its discretion to set requirements that would guarantee the defendant’s attendance at her trial.
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On June 20, the defendant filed a bail application, according to the statement made to the court by his attorney, Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN.
Her electorate comprises five Local Government Areas (LGAs), and Prof. Otaru, SAN, told the court that his client does not represent a flight risk and would be present for her trial.
Emphasizing her position as a prominent member of the legal profession, he further informed the judge that the defendant had previously been granted bail in relation to a similar case by an Abuja High Court.
After hearing both sides’ arguments, Justice Umar stated that he was inclined to release the defendant on self-recognition bond.
The defendant is a sitting senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is undeniable, the trial judge said, adding that the counts against her included offenses that may be released on bond.
He then scheduled a follow-up hearing for September 22.
