Natasha Pleads Not Guilty to Defamation, Gets ₦50m Bail Over Claims Against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of alleged defamation filed by the Federal Government over statements made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The female lawmaker was arraigned on Thursday before Justice Chizoba Orji at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. She was accused of making defamatory remarks that allegedly implied a plot to assassinate her, and she now faces charges under Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code.

Following her plea of not guilty, the prosecution, led by David Kaswe, asked the court to remand her in prison custody. However, her counsel, Roland Otaru, successfully moved a bail application, urging the court to consider her constitutional presumption of innocence and that she poses no flight risk or threat to the ongoing investigation.

Justice Orji ruled in her favour, granting bail in the sum of ₦50 million with one surety who must own landed property within the jurisdiction and be a responsible resident of the FCT. The trial was adjourned to September 23, 2025.

Tight security was observed around the court premises, as prominent public figures including her husband, former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, activist Aisha Yesufu, and a large group of supporters were present.

The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan stem from televised and phone statements, including claims that Akpabio and Bello conspired during a private meeting to have her killed. “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me… He emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi,” she was quoted as saying.

One of the counts also relates to a private phone conversation on March 27, 2025, where similar accusations were allegedly made.

The Federal Government argues that these claims were made with knowledge or reason to believe they would injure the reputation of the individuals involved. Both Akpabio and Bello are listed as prosecution witnesses in the upcoming trial.