Video: Alleged defamation: Again, Senator Natasha arraigned, granted bail

The Federal Government today June 30 arraigned Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, at the Federal High Court, Abuja,.

The suspended female lawmaker was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar on six counts bordering on alleged defamation of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

When the charges were read to her, she pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognition.

The judge adjourned the case to September 22, 2025 for commencement of trial.

Applying for bail, her counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN), had requested that she be granted bail on self-recognition as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a senior member of the bar.

He had argued that there was no counter affidavit from the prosecution challenging the bail application.

Senator Natasha was accompanied to court on Monday by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Activist Aisha Yesufu; and her supporters.

This was the lawmaker’s second arraignment on alleged defamation of Akpabio and Bello.

Last week, she was arraigned on a similar charge on June 19, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

At the last hearing, the judge refused the request by the Federal Government to have Senator Natasha arrested for failing to appear for the trial.

The judge gave the ruling after the government’s counsel, David Kaswe, admitted that he served the charge on her lawyer that same morning in the courtroom.

The judge said as the Kogi Central Senator had not previously been served the charge or hearing notice, it was therefore inconceivable that she would be present in the courtroom. He, on that premise, refused the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

According to the charge sheet, Senator Natasha had alleged on a live television programme that Akpabio and Bello were plotting her assassination.

The Nigerian Government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, had instituted the lawsuit bordering on defamation, against the Senator.