Politics
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan granted bail, trial for alleged cybercrime set for September
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 22, 2025, for the commencement of trial in a cybercrime case against the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This followed her arraignment on Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar on a six-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime. The senator pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail on self-recognition.
The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, allege that Akpoti-Uduaghan made false and defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, the senator was quoted as alleging in a public statement that Akpabio had urged Bello to ensure her assassination occurred in Kogi State rather than Abuja, so it would appear as if she was killed by constituents.
She was further accused of repeating the allegations during an interview on Channels Television, where she claimed that discussions about eliminating her were part of a meeting between Akpabio and Bello.
The prosecution contends that the statements, which were disseminated electronically, were knowingly false, malicious, and intended to incite public unrest and endanger lives — actions said to contravene Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act.
This is not the first legal battle the suspended senator is facing in relation to her statements. On June 19, she was arraigned before Justice Chizoba Orji of the FCT High Court, Maitama, on a similar three-count charge of defamation involving the same two complainants. She also pleaded not guilty in that matter and was granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million with one surety.
The cybercrime case before Justice Umar had been scheduled for arraignment on June 16, but Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to appear in court. Federal Government counsel, David Kaswe, had requested a bench warrant, which was declined by the judge on the grounds that the defendant had not been served with the charges or hearing notice.
At Monday’s hearing, however, the senator was present in court and took her plea. Her lead counsel, Prof Roland Otaru (SAN), applied for bail on self-recognition, citing her status as a sitting senator and senior member of the bar. He assured the court that she posed no flight risk and noted that she had previously been granted bail on related charges.
Otaru added that Akpoti-Uduaghan represents a constituency encompassing five local government areas and that there was no objection from the prosecution to the bail request.
In response, the prosecution confirmed that it had not filed any counter-affidavit and urged the court to exercise its discretion in imposing bail conditions to guarantee the defendant’s attendance at trial.
In his ruling, Justice Umar noted that the offences were bailable and that the defendant’s standing as a serving senator was not in dispute. He consequently granted her bail on self-recognition and adjourned the matter to September 22 for trial.
