Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million by Justice Chizoba Orji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, June 19, Justice Orji stated that there was no sufficient basis to deny Akpoti-Uduaghan bail, noting that the defendant had demonstrated a clear willingness to appear before the court and face trial.
As part of the bail conditions, the court directed that she must provide one surety—someone of unquestionable integrity who owns a landed property within Abuja. The court emphasized that the surety’s identity and property must be verifiable and acceptable to the court.
Justice Orji anchored her ruling on constitutional and statutory provisions, particularly Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which upholds the presumption of innocence, as well as Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
The judge further rejected a motion seeking to have the lawmaker remanded in prison custody while awaiting trial, stating that such a move was unnecessary given the circumstances.
The Federal Government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations that she falsely accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, of plotting to assassinate her—claims which the authorities say were unfounded and malicious.
The appearance follows her arraignment by the Federal Government over allegations of making false and defamatory claims.
The lawmaker is facing a three-count criminal charge filed under case number CR/297/25. She is accused of falsely alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello conspired to assassinate her.
According to the charge, the comments were made during a live broadcast of Politics Today on Channels Television on April 3.
The Federal Government claims that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan knowingly made damaging statements with the intent to harm reputations, which constitutes an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same code.
The case has been adjourned until September 23, 2025, when the substantive trial will begin.