Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan granted bail in new cybercrime case over assassination claims

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, June 30, 2025, for a second arraignment on fresh charges related to her public claims of an assassination plot.

The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central, was granted bail on her own recognizance by Justice Mohammed Umar after pleading not guilty to all six counts.

The charges were filed by the Federal Government under the amended Cybercrimes Act and allege that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made false and malicious statements about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The prosecution claims that she accused the two political figures of conspiring to have her assassinated during a live television interview and a public speech.

This is the second time the senator has faced similar accusations.

On June 19, 2025, she was arraigned on related charges at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

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During that earlier session, the judge dismissed the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant, ruling that it was unreasonable to expect her presence in court since the charges had been served on her lawyer just that morning.

During Monday’s proceedings, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN), applied for bail on personal recognizance, arguing that as a sitting senator and a member of the bar, she is not a flight risk.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, did not oppose the application but asked the court to set conditions to ensure her appearance for the trial.

Justice Umar granted the request for bail on her personal assurance to appear in court.

The case has been adjourned until September 22, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.

The charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan are based on statements she reportedly made in early April 2025.

The prosecution alleges that she knowingly made imputations that would harm the reputations of Akpabio and Bello, thereby committing an offense punishable under the Cybercrime Act.

The lawsuit was instituted by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.