Court Grants Senator Natasha N50m Bail, Sets September 23 for Trial

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Maitama, has granted bail to suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the sum of ₦50 million, following her arraignment on a three-count charge of criminal defamation.

Justice Chizoba Orji, who delivered the ruling, rejected the Federal Government’s request to remand the senator in prison custody, stating that there was sufficient evidence that she was prepared to face trial. The court also ordered that she must provide one surety of integrity who owns landed property within Abuja.

The bail decision was grounded in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. The trial has been scheduled to commence on September 23, 2025.

The Federal Government is prosecuting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly making false and defamatory statements during a live television appearance. She is accused of claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were involved in a plot to assassinate her.

According to the charge marked CR/297/25, the senator’s remarks were deemed harmful to the reputation of others, constituting an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 392.

The prosecution listed several witnesses, including Senate President Akpabio, former Governor Bello, two police investigators, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Sandra Duru.

This legal development follows a series of confrontations between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership, including her suspension after a heated exchange during plenary on February 20. She has also filed a separate suit challenging the legality of her suspension, with a ruling expected on June 27