A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama has granted bail to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, in the sum of N50 million.
Presiding judge, Justice Chizoba Orji, delivered the ruling on Thursday, rejecting the federal government’s request to remand the senator in prison custody pending trial. The judge ruled that there was no valid reason to deny her bail, noting that the court was satisfied with “sufficient evidence” of her willingness to stand trial.
As part of the bail conditions, Akpoti-Uduaghan is required to present one surety—someone of proven integrity who owns landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The senator, who appeared in court accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, received support from notable figures including former education minister Oby Ezekwesili, human rights activist Aisha Yesufu, and several loyalists.
She was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on criminal defamation, with the federal government as the complainant. The case, filed on May 16, 2025 (suit number CR/297/25), lists Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as nominal complainants.
According to the charge sheet, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of knowingly making defamatory imputations likely to damage the reputation of others—an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 392.
One count alleges that she claimed in a television interview that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her. Another count accuses her of making disparaging remarks about Akpabio during a private phone conversation with one Sandra C. Duru in Abuja on or about March 27, 2025.
The senator pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court has adjourned the matter to September 23, 2025, for commencement of trial.