By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, on Thursday granted bail to suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the sum of N50 million. Justice Chizoba Orji ruled that the senator must provide one surety of reasonable integrity, who resides within the Federal Capital Territory and owns a landed property in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, is facing a three-count criminal charge (CR/297/25) filed by the Attorney General of the Federation. The Federal Government accuses her of making defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. These allegations stem from comments she made during a live broadcast on Politics Today on Channels Television on April 3, 2025, and in a phone call with Sandra Duru.
According to the charge, the senator alleged that Akpabio and Bello conspired to orchestrate her assassination and that the killing of a young woman, Iniubong Umoren, was linked to organ harvesting for Akpabio’s wife. Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During Thursday’s proceedings, her lead counsel, Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and urged the court to grant bail. The prosecution, represented by David Kaswe, opposed the application and requested that she be remanded, citing flight risk.
Justice Orji, however, rejected the remand request and granted bail. Meanwhile, a similar case is pending before Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, where arraignment was stalled due to service issues.
The high-profile case has drawn national attention, as it intersects issues of free speech, political rivalry, and judicial independence in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
