The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has granted bail to suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is facing a three-count criminal charge over alleged defamation and false accusations.
Justice Chizoba Orji, who presided over the case, on Thursday, ruled that the embattled lawmaker be granted bail of ₦50 million, with one surety who must own landed property within Abuja.
The court dismissed the Federal Government’s request to keep the Senator in custody pending trial, stating that there was no substantial reason to deny her bail. Justice Orji noted that the defendant had demonstrated readiness to stand trial, referencing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
The trial has been adjourned to September 23, 2025.
Allegations of Defamation Against Top Political Figures
Senator Natasha is being prosecuted by the Federal Government in connection with comments she made during a live television appearance on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” on April 3, 2025. In that broadcast, she alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were plotting to assassinate her.
The government claims her statements were false and defamatory, and violated Section 391 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 392.
The case, filed as CR/297/25, outlines three counts of defamation, with the prosecution listing six witnesses, including:
Senate President Godswill Akpabio
Former Governor Yahaya Bello
Two police investigators: Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong
Sandra Duru, who was also allegedly defamed in a separate instance
In another count, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of falsely claiming in a private conversation that the organs of murdered job-seeker Iniubong Umoren were harvested for a sick politician’s wife — a remark the government alleges was designed to smear Akpabio’s image.
Ongoing Senate Suspension Dispute
The trial comes at a time when Senator Natasha is also challenging her suspension from the Senate, which was imposed following a heated exchange with the Senate President on February 20. She was referred to the Ethics Committee after repeatedly raising a point of order and refusing to yield the floor, prompting the Senate to hand her a six-month suspension.
In a February 28 interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her rift with the Senate leadership began after she rejected “unwanted advances” from the Senate President — an accusation that has fueled further political tension.
The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to rule on the legality of her suspension on June 27, 2025.
