The Federal Government on Monday arraigned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge related to alleged cybercrime.
The charges stem from allegations made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, accused the lawmaker of making defamatory claims during a live television broadcast, including allegations that the two political figures were plotting her assassination.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pleaded not guilty to the charges. Presiding Judge Mohammed Umar granted her bail on self-recognition, noting her status as a serving Senator and a senior legal practitioner.
During the bail hearing, her counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN), urged the court to grant bail on self-recognition, citing her position in public office and the absence of any counter-affidavit from the prosecution.
Senator Natasha was accompanied to court by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan; prominent activist Aisha Yesufu; and a group of supporters.
This marks the lawmaker’s second arraignment in two weeks. On June 19, 2025, she was arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on separate charges of alleged defamation.
At that previous hearing, the prosecution had sought a bench warrant for her arrest due to her absence in court. However, the judge denied the request after the prosecution’s counsel, David Kaswe, admitted that the charge was only served on her lawyer earlier that same day in court. The judge ruled that since she had not previously been served with a hearing notice, there was no basis to expect her presence.
The trial in the current cybercrime case is set to begin on September 22, 2025.
