The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on self-recognition.
The senator was arraigned on a six-count charge related to alleged cybercrime.
The charges were read and she pleaded not guilty.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making false and injurious claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
According to the prosecution, “she allegedly stated, ‘Akpabio told Yahaya Bello… that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done in Kogi, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me’.”
She reportedly repeated the claim during an interview on Channels TV’s “Politics Today,” saying, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night… to eliminate me.”
The Federal Government contended that these comments, which were widely circulated online, were deliberately false and capable of inciting public unrest.
It further alleged that the statements violated Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, which prohibits spreading false information with the intent to harm reputations or cause disorder.
Specifically, part of the charges are: “That on or about the 1st day of April 2025 while addressing a crowd of people at Ihima Community, Kogi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, You – SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTIUDUAGHAN intentionally caused the following communication to be transmitted via a computer system and network, to wit: “…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello, Iam saying, standing by what I have said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as (if it is the people that killed me here…” And You, SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN, knew this contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio GCON as the President of the Senate, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024 and punishable under
the same Act.
Count Two “That on or about the 1st day of April 2025 while addressing a crowd
of people at Ihima Community, Kogi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, You – SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTIUDUAGHAN intentionally caused the following communication to be tranamitted via a computer system and network, to wit:
“,…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello, I am saying, standing by what I have satd. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, tt should be done here, so tt will seem as (f it ts the people that killed me here…” And You, SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN, knew this contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Yahaya Adoza Bello, a former Governor of Kogi State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024 and punishable under same section of the Act.
Her lead counsel, Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), urged the court to grant her bail on self-recognition, noting her status as a senator and a senior legal practitioner.
He also pointed out that the prosecution did not file any objection to the bail application.
Justice Mohammed Umar accepted the request and granted bail on self-recognition.
The case was adjourned until September 22 for the start of trial.
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