*Grants Her N50m Bail, Adjourns Until Sep 23
JUSTICE Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, on Thursday, June 19, granted the senator representing Kogi Central, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a N50million bail after she pleaded not guilty to defamation charges brought against her by the Federal Government.
The court rejected the Federal Government’s application, through the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, that the defendant to be remanded in prison custody, pending the determination of the case against her.
Her lawyer, Roland Otaru, sought and got permission to move the bail application for the defendant on the grounds that it was matured for hearing, having been served on the Prosecution and having joined issues with each other.
In moving the bail application, Otaru urged the Judge to exercise her discretion in favour of the defendant, arguing that the suspended senator was not a flight risk and would not interfere with Police investigation and witnesses.
Besides, he submitted that Nigeria’ Constitution presumes her innocence, while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 emphasised bail in such an offence.
But Kaswe urged the Judge to refuse the bail application, adding that the prosecution made great efforts and encountered difficulties before the defendant could be served with the charge.
However, in her ruling, Justice Orji noted that the alleged offence was not a capital one and that the law presumes her innocence for now.
Justice Orji held that she found no reason to deny the defendant bail, saying there was sufficient evidence that she is willing to face her trial and consequently granted her a N50million bail, with one surety, who must have a landed property in Abuja and must be a responsible resident of the FCT, based on Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Section 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The Judge subsequently adjourned the case until September 23, this year, for trial.
Earlier, the senator was arraigned on three counts bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
In the charge, dated May 16, 2025, and marked: CR/297/25, the Federal Government alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was listed as the sole defendant, made the false and defamatory remarks when she appeared as guest on live television.
It specifically accused her of making “imputation, knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” to tarnished the image of others, an offence under 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990 and punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
The Federal Government told the court that the defendant committed the alleged crime on April 3, during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme.
Among those listed as witnesses in the matter are Akpabio and Bello, who were cited as nominal complainants, as well as two Police officers that investigated the matter, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba; Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and one Sandra Duru.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan had written a letter to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), accusing the Police of exhibiting bias in the investigation of her petitions against Akpabio.
Also, the Federal High Court in Abuja had fixed June 27 to determine the legality or otherwise of the six-month suspension slammed on her by the Senate over her disagreemnt with the senate president on February 20, this year, regarding realignment of sitting arrangement in the chamber.
There was tight security around the court even before commencement of proceeding, which was witnessed by her husband; a former minister of Education, Prof. Oby Ezekwesili; activist, Aisha Yesufu; and several supporters.
