ABUJA – The Federal Government has arraigned the suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, before the Federal High Court on a fresh six-count charge.
The beleaguered lawmaker, who was previously suspended from the Senate for six months, is alleged to have made a false claim about an assassination, as stated in the charge labelled CR/297/25.
It is claimed that the defendant alleged that certain politicians opposed to her were conspiring to carry out an assassination.
The Federal Government asserts that the alleged crime occurred when she addressed her supporters in Kogi State, as well as during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3.
She has been specifically accused of naming Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello as individuals involved in a meeting where the supposed plot to eliminate her was devised.
The Federal Government contended in court that the defendant insisted both Akpabio and Bello had agreed to her elimination in Kogi State, in a manner that would appear to be a mob action.
She is accused of making false statements intended to harm the reputations of both Senator Akpabio and ex-Governor Bello, thereby committing an offence under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime Act.
In the meantime, the defendant entered a plea of not guilty after the charge was read to her before Trial Justice Muhammed Umar.
The Director of Public Prosecution for the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, informed the court that he had not submitted any application to contest her bail.
However, the DPP requested that the court exercise its discretion and impose conditions to ensure the defendant’s attendance at her trial.
On the other hand, the defendant’s counsel, Professor Roland Otaru, SAN, indicated that he had filed a bail application on June 20.
Reassuring the court that his client does not pose a flight risk and would be present for her trial, Professor Otaru highlighted that she represents a constituency covering five Local Government Areas.
Additionally, he reminded the judge that an Abuja High Court had previously granted the defendant bail for a similar charge, emphasising her position as a senior member of the legal profession.
After hearing from both parties, Justice Umar expressed that he was inclined to grant the defendant bail on the basis of self-recognition.
The trial judge noted that it was acknowledged that the defendant is a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and remarked that the charges against her involved bailable offences.
He subsequently adjourned the case until September 22 for further proceedings.”
