The courtroom was filled with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's supporters, including her husband, Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, and activist Aisha Yesufu.
Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has pleaded not guilty to alleged defamation charges filed against her by the Federal Government.
The lawmaker was arraigned before Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on three counts bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan stem from her alleged statements in a television interview and a telephone conversation with a journalist, where she accused Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her, according to Channels TV reports.
The government accused her of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” citing Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
After pleading not guilty, the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, asked the judge to remand her in prison until the determination of the charge.
However, Natasha’s lawyer, Roland Otaru, moved a bail application, arguing that the lawmaker was not a flight risk and would not interfere with police investigation and witnesses.
Otaru urged the judge to exercise her discretion in favor of the defendant, citing the presumption of innocence under the Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. In response, Kaswe opposed the bail application, arguing that the prosecution had encountered difficulties in serving the charge on the defendant.
Justice Orji admitted Akpoti-Uduaghan to bail in the sum of ₦50m and one reasonable surety in the like sum. The judge held that the surety must be the owner of land property within the jurisdiction of the court. The case has been adjourned to September 23, 2025, for trial.
The courtroom was filled with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, including her husband, Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, and activist Aisha Yesufu. Security operatives were also visible around the court premises.
The list of witnesses showed that Akpabio and Bello would testify during the trial. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s plea of not guilty sets the stage for a potentially dramatic trial, with the lawmaker’s fate hanging in the balance.
