The Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja has granted bail to suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her arraignment on a recent six-count cost filed by the Federal Authorities over alleged false claims of an assassination plot.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, at the moment serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, was accused of alleging that political opponents have been conspiring to assassinate her. The cost, marked CR/297/25, alleged that the Senator defamed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, claiming the duo participated in a gathering to hatch the alleged plot.
The Federal Authorities said that the lawmaker made the declare each throughout a public handle to her supporters in Kogi State and in an interview on Channels Tv’s Politics Right now on April 3, 2025.
In accordance with the cost, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly said that Akpabio and Bello agreed she needs to be assassinated in Kogi beneath the guise of a mob assault—statements the prosecution stated have been supposed to hurt the reputations of each politicians. The Federal Authorities cited a violation of Part 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime Act.
The Senator, nonetheless, pleaded not responsible when the fees have been learn earlier than Justice Muhammed Umar.
In the course of the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, didn’t object to her launch on bail however requested the court docket to impose strict situations to make sure her availability for trial.
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In response, the defence counsel, Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, urged the court docket to grant bail on liberal phrases, stressing that the Senator was not a flight threat and had been beforehand granted bail in the same case by an Abuja Excessive Courtroom. He additionally highlighted that Akpoti-Uduaghan represents 5 native authorities areas and is a senior authorized practitioner.
After listening to either side, Justice Umar granted the defendant bail on self-recognition, noting that the fees are bailable and that the Senator stays a serving member of the Nationwide Meeting.
The court docket subsequently adjourned the matter to September 22, 2025, for listening to.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s authorized woes have continued to attract nationwide consideration, particularly amid heightened political tensions in Kogi State and ongoing debates round freedom of expression and cybercrime legal guidelines in Nigeria.
