The Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted bail to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on self-recognition after her second arraignment on criminal defamation charges filed by the federal government.
Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday approved the bail application filed by the senator’s legal team, led by Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN).
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to September 22, 2025, for further hearing.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, appeared in court alongside her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, prominent human rights activist Aisha Yesufu, and a large group of supporters.
The high-profile case has continued to attract significant public interest.
The charges against the senator stem from allegations that she made defamatory statements during a live television broadcast, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of plotting her assassination.
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The federal government initially brought the matter to court in May, filing a separate three-count charge under suit number CR/1277/25, accusing the senator of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and criminal defamation.
The case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, which carries severe penalties, including potential imprisonment, for those found guilty.
During her first arraignment on June 19, 2025, Justice Umar declined a request from prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, to issue a bench warrant for Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arrest.
The judge ruled that the defendant had not been formally served with the court notice and could not be subjected to an arrest order based on her absence.
