Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million with one surety by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, following her arraignment over explosive defamation charges involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice Chizoba Orji delivered the ruling on Thursday, June 19, 2025, ordering that the surety must be a person of reputable standing who resides in Abuja and owns property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council. The ruling followed heated exchanges between the prosecution and defence over the bail application filed on May 27.
The Attorney General of the Federation is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan on a three-count charge of defamation, accusing her of publicly alleging that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her. These claims were made during a televised appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025, and in a private phone call with Sandra Duru on March 27. The charges claim she insinuated the killing of Iniubong Umoren was linked to an organ transplant for Akpabio’s wife.
The federal government contends that the statements were not only defamatory but calculated to incite the public and tarnish the reputations of high-profile figures. Her arraignment had been delayed by the Judiciary Staff Union strike earlier in June, and a bench warrant was initially sought but denied due to failed service by the prosecution.
Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her defence team, led by Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), strongly opposed any remand order, arguing that the case was bailable and her right to presumed innocence must be upheld. “This is not a murder trial. Nobody, not even the President, can question your lordship’s discretion to grant bail,” Otaru argued in court.
David Kaswe, counsel to the Attorney General, insisted on remanding the senator, labeling her a potential flight risk due to the severity of the charges. However, the court upheld her right to bail, setting strict conditions to ensure compliance and court appearances.
The case, which features Akpabio, Bello, and four others as prosecution witnesses, is expected to test the boundaries of free speech, political accountability, and defamation law in Nigeria. A separate but related suit is also pending before Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
