Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan faced arraignment today at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where she was charged with cybercrime.
The six-count charges were filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar. The case, designated as FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, falls under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc (Amendment) Act 2024.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of disseminating false and damaging information through electronic means with the intent to defame, incite violence, jeopardize lives, and disrupt public order. The charges notably include allegations that during a gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, she claimed that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio had instructed former Governor, Yahaya Bello to have her murdered in Kogi State.
Furthermore, she allegedly reiterated these accusations in a television interview, suggesting a conspiracy between the Senate President and the former Governor to orchestrate her murder.
Upon the reading of the charges, Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty. Following her plea, Mohammed Abubakar requested a trial date to proceed with the case.
Her defense Attorney, Roland Otaru (SAN), indicated that a motion for bail had been submitted for his client and sought permission from the Court to present this application, to which Abubakar did not object.
Although he did not file a counter affidavit, Abubakar requested that bail be granted under conditions ensuring the defendant would attend upcoming proceedings.
Justice Mohammed Umar ruled in favour of bail, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan is a serving Senator, granting her bail based on self-recognition. The Court then scheduled the trial to commence on September 22. This appearance marks the second arraignment for Akpoti-Uduaghan within a fortnight. Previously, on June 19, she faced a three-count defamation charge before Justice Chizoba Oji in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
She also pleaded not guilty in that instance and was granted bail set at N50 million, requiring a reasonable surety of the same amount, with a stipulation that the surety must possess real estate within the Court’s jurisdiction. That case was adjourned until September 23 for trial commencement.
In the first count of the new charges, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making detrimental assertions about Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, claiming he conspired with former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello to murder her. The second count charges her with making another harmful assertion about ex-Governor, Bello. In the third count, she is accused of making damaging links between Akpabio and the death of Miss Imoren Iniubong.
