The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted self-recognition and bail to Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan after her trial on new cybercrime allegations. The senator who is suspended, who is from Kogi Central, appeared in the court on Jun. 30, 2025, in which she pleaded not guilty to all the charges of charges brought against her by the Federal Government.
The charges were brought in connection with allegations she has made about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and ex-Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Senator Akpoti Uduaghan claimed during a private chat, Akpabio allegedly told Bello to make sure that, should she die, the murder must occur at Kogi State so it would appear that the people were to blame, instead of it happening in Abuja. Bello repeated her claims in an interview on television.
The Federal Government argued that her assertions were defamatory, false and capable of provoking public discontent, resulting in an infraction of the Cybercrimes Act. The Act criminalizes the spreading of defamatory information intended to damage reputations or disturb the peace in the community.
In the bail hearing, the legal team of Senator Akpoti Uduaghan, headed by Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), demanded her release based on self-recognition and highlighting her standing as a senator in the Senate and a top lawyer. The defense argued that the prosecution did not submit any counter-affidavit in opposition to her bail demand.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the bail request in the courtroom and ordered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to be released with self-recognition. The court then suspended the proceeding until Sept. 22, 2025, when the trial starts.
Next Steps
- Senator Freed granted bail for self-recognition until the trial.
- Date of trial: The trial date is Sept. 22, 2025.
- Charges: Six counts of violation of the Cybercrimes Act for alleged false and inciting statements.
- Defense position Senator defends her innocence and bail rights by her status as an official.
