Suspended Senator representing kogi central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan has pleaded not guilty to the three count charge filed against her by the federal government bordering on Alleged Defamation of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Former Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello.
Trial Judge Justice Chizoba Orji granted her bail to the tune of 50 million naira and one surety which must be a reputable indigene of FCT. The surety must have one property within the jurisdiction of the court.
Shortly after the defendant entered her plea, FG’s lawyer, David Kaswe, applied for her to be remanded in a correctional facility, pending the determination of the case against her.
The prosecution however insisted that the defendant posed a flight risk, alleging that it took several efforts to serve a copy of the charge on her.
However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Roland Otaru, SAN, urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self-recognition, insisting that the case against her is not an indictable offence.
The federal government had instituted a suit against Natasha before a federal capital territory high court on May 16, 2025, over alleged defamatory remarks made by her on live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on April 3, 2025.
The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, an offence punishable under section 392 of the same law.
The trial has been adjourned to 23rd September 2025.
