By Rafiyat Sadiq
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama has granted bail in the sum of N50 million to the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her arraignment on allegations of criminal defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday , Justice Chizoba Orji dismissed the Federal Government’s request for the defendant to be remanded in prison custody, ruling that there was no compelling reason to deny bail. The court held that Akpoti-Uduaghan had shown a willingness to stand trial.
The judge further directed that the bail be accompanied by one surety who must be a person of reputable character and the owner of a landed property within Abuja.
The decision was anchored on the constitutional provisions of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
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Trial Set for September as Prosecution Lays Out Charges
The case, which has been adjourned until September 23 for trial, stems from a three-count charge marked CR/297/25, in which the Federal Government accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of making false statements during a live appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” programme on April 3.
According to the charge, the senator alleged that Akpabio and Bello were involved in a plot to assassinate her—an imputation they argue was made with intent to harm their reputations. The prosecution claims that her statements constitute criminal defamation under Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990 and are punishable under Section 392 of the same code.
The Senate President and former Kogi governor are listed as nominal complainants, while other prosecution witnesses include two police investigators—Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba—Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and a woman identified as Sandra Duru.
Accusations of Bias, Political Retaliation Surface
The charges followed a letter Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), accusing the police of partiality in handling her petition against Akpabio.
The embattled senator has also challenged her six-month suspension from the Senate, describing it as a retaliatory act stemming from an altercation on the Senate floor on February 20, when she raised concerns about the reassignment of her seat. Despite being overruled multiple times, she insisted on speaking, prompting the Senate President to refer her to the Ethics Committee.
In a television interview on February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed her ordeal began after she rejected what she described as “unwelcome advances” from Akpabio. She has since filed an ex-parte application before the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to declare her suspension and any related actions by the Senate Committee as “null, void, and of no effect.”
Legal Battles Continue
The Federal High Court is expected to rule on June 27 on the legality of her suspension. Meanwhile, her defamation trial is set to proceed in September, amid what observers describe as a complex political and legal saga that could have far-reaching implications within Nigeria’s legislative landscape.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.