Trial to Begin September 23
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Thursday arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on charges of alleged defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges, brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), consist of three counts bordering on alleged “harmful imputation” capable of damaging the reputation of the two high-profile political figures.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who appeared in court alongside her husband and associates, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, urged the presiding judge, Justice Chizoba Oji, to remand the lawmaker in prison custody pending trial. However, her lawyer, Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), moved a bail application on the grounds that it was ripe for hearing and had already been served on the prosecution.
Otaru argued that the defendant was not a flight risk and posed no threat to witnesses or ongoing investigations. He reminded the court that the Nigerian Constitution presumes the defendant innocent until proven guilty and emphasized that the offence was bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The prosecution opposed the bail request, citing alleged difficulties in serving the charge on the defendant.
In her ruling, Justice Oji held that the offence was not capital in nature and granted bail to Akpoti-Uduaghan in the sum of ₦50 million, with one surety in like sum. The surety must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The court fixed September 23, 2025 for the commencement of trial in the case, marked CR/297/25 and filed on May 15.
Count one of the charge accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of falsely claiming that Senate President Akpabio and former Governor Bello plotted to assassinate her. Count two focuses on the alleged harmful imputation against Yahaya Bello, while count three accuses her of linking Akpabio to the death of a young woman, Miss Iniubong Umoren.
The case is set to test the boundaries of free speech and political accountability in Nigeria, as it involves serious allegations made by a sitting lawmaker against two influential figures.
