The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail on self-recognition to the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her arraignment on a six-count charge related to alleged cybercrime.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who appeared before Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday, pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against her by the Federal Government.
The charges stem from comments the senator allegedly made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. According to the charge sheet, Akpoti-Uduaghan was quoted as saying, “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 allegation days later during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stating: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night… to eliminate me.”
The Federal Government maintained that the statements, which circulated widely on digital platforms, were knowingly false and intended to incite public unrest. Prosecutors argued that the remarks contravened Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the dissemination of false information intended to harm reputations or disturb public order.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), urged the court to grant her bail on self-recognition, citing her status as a serving senator and a senior member of the legal profession. He noted that the prosecution had not filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application.
Justice Umar granted the request and approved bail on self-recognition. The matter was adjourned until September 22 for trial commencement.
