Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, was arraigned on Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge bordering on cybercrime and defamation.
The charges, filed by the Federal Government, accuse Senator Natasha of making electronically transmitted statements deemed harmful to the reputation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
She pleaded not guilty to all six counts and was granted bail on self-recognition. The court acknowledged her status as a senator and legal practitioner, with Justice Umar agreeing with her lawyer, Chief Roland Otaru, SAN, that she poses no flight risk.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Mohammed Abubakar, did not oppose the bail application and confirmed that no counter affidavit had been filed. He urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure the senator’s attendance during the trial.
The charges stem from public comments allegedly made by Senator Natasha during an address in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 1, 2025, and in a televised interview. In the remarks, she reportedly claimed that Akpabio instructed Bello to ensure that any plot to kill her should occur in Kogi, not Abuja, to make it appear as a local incident.
One of the charges reads:
“…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello…he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as if the people that killed me here…”
The federal government alleges that the comments were intended to incite fear, damage reputations, and endanger public order—offences punishable under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Following the plea, the court fixed September 22 for the commencement of trial.
The charges were filed after Senator Akpabio lodged a formal complaint with the Inspector General of Police, accusing Senator Natasha of making baseless and dangerous allegations capable of inciting violence and harming his reputation.
Despite the tension surrounding the case, Senator Natasha has maintained her innocence and vowed to defend herself in court.
