A high court in Maitama, Abuja, has granted bail to suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She is the Senator representing Kogi Central and was recently arraigned over alleged false statements made during a televised interview.
Justice Chizoba Orji, who presided over the case, granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million with one surety. The surety must be a respected individual who owns landed property in Abuja.
The judge rejected the Federal Government’s request to remand the senator in prison while her trial continues. Justice Orji explained that the court found no reason to deny bail, especially since Akpoti-Uduaghan had shown willingness to stand trial.
The bail conditions were guided by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Trial Set to Begin in September
The case has been adjourned to September 23 for trial. Akpoti-Uduaghan faces a three-count charge under charge number CR/297/25. The charges accuse her of defamation and knowingly making statements that could harm the reputation of the plaintiffs.
The alleged offence took place on April 3 during her appearance on a live political programme, Politics Today, on Channels Television. In the interview, she reportedly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of being involved in an alleged plot to assassinate her.
According to the charge, she is accused of making an “imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.” This falls under section 391 of the Penal Code and carries a punishment under section 392 of the same law.
Akpabio, Yahaya Bello and Others to Testify
Among the prosecution’s witnesses are Senate President Akpabio, former Governor Bello, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Sandra Duru.
Also expected to testify are two police officers, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba. Both Akpabio and Bello are listed as nominal complainants in the case.
The case stems from a petition the senator had earlier submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. In her petition, she accused the police of bias in how they handled her original complaints against Senate President Akpabio.
The case has attracted wide attention due to the high-profile names involved and the nature of the allegations. As it stands, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains free on bail pending the start of her trial in September.
At the end of the court session, a crowd of Mrs Natasha’s supporters burst out in jubilation over her bail. She had been accompanied by her husband, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, also known as the Alema of Warri Kingdom. Also with her was Nigeria’s former Minister of Education and presidential aspirant, Madam Oby Ezekwesili.
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