Suspended Senator Natasha Pleads Not Guilty to Defamation Charges, Gets N50m Bail
The suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Thursday, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of defamation before Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
Justice Musa Umar had rejected an application for Natasha’s arrest on Monday, following her absence in court.
The Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had filed the three-count defamation charge against Natasha over an alleged plot to assassinate her.
Filed before the court, the charges stem from remarks Natasha alleged when she featured on Politics Today, a live programme on Channels Television, on April 3, 2025.
Marked FCT/HC/CR/297/2025, the charge referenced Natasha’s allegation of a plot to kill her during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today, aired on April 3, 2025.
During the said interview, Natasha allegedly accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of a plot to assassinate her.
In counts one and two, the Federal Government accused Natasha of “Making an imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under Section 392 of the same Law.”
She was also accused of having, on or about March 27, 2025, during a two-way telephone conversation with one Sandra C. Duru in Abuja, made certain imputations concerning Akpabio.
The charges came amid Natasha’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio
The uproar began at Senate plenary on 20th February as a dispute over seating arrangements led to a heated exchange between Natasha and Akpabio. The commotion began after the Kogi Senator voiced her displeasure at the change of her seat.
Natasha had accused the Senate President of persistent sexual harassment. She claimed that Akpabio’s hostility toward her stems from her refusal to entertain them.
“My refusal to yield to his consistent advances, both within and outside the country, is the reason behind the victimisation I face in the Senate. It all started on the 8th of December 2023, which was a day before his birthday and my birthday; we are birthday mates”, she claimed; an allegation that the Senate President consistently denied.
Natasha was suspended on March 6 for six months for alleged misconduct and violation of Senate rules. Her suspension includes the withdrawal of her salary, security details, barred access to the National Assembly premises and identifying herself as a senator.
The government is prosecuting Natasha on behalf of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Taking her plea on Thursday, Natasha maintained her innocence after the charge was read to her before Justice Orji.
While prosecution lawyer, David Kaswe, had pray the court to remand Natasha in a correctional facility, pending the determination of the case against her, emphasising that the defendant posed a flight risk; Natasha’s counsel Roland Otaru, SAN, urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self-recognition, insisting that the case against her is not an indictable offence.
Otaru described the defendant as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has five local government areas under her constituency. Noting that the maximum punishment for the charge against the defendant is two years’ imprisonment, the defence lawyer urged the court to exercise its discretion in her favour.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Orji rejected the Federal government’s prayer to remand Natasha in prison custody pending the determination of the case against her.
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.
Consequently, the court admitted Natasha on bail to the tune of N50 million with one surety who must be a person of integrity, who owns a landed property in Abuja.
The court based its decision on section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The case was subsequently adjourned till September 23 for trial.
