The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Udauaghan, bail on self-recognition.
The embattled lawmaker, who was arraigned on six charges relating to alleged cybercrime, entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea.
Persecondnews recalls that the senator allegedly made false and damaging statements against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
According to the charge, Akpoti-Udauaghan was alleged to have said, “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello… that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done in Kogi, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me.”
Days later, during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, she reiterated the allegations, asserting: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night… to eliminate me.”
The Federal Government, prosecuting, alleged that the statements, widely disseminated through digital platforms, were knowingly false and intended to incite unrest.
The FG further contended that the remarks violate “Section 24(2)(c)” of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the intentional spread of false information to damage reputations or provoke public disorder.
While applying for bail, Akpoti-Udauaghan’s legal team, led by Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), requested that she be granted bail on self-recognition being a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a senior member of the bar.
He pointed out that there is no counter-affidavit from the prosecution, challenging the bail application.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the request of the defence counsel, admitting her to bail on self-recognition.
The court adjourned until September 22, for the commencement of trial.
Persecondnews had reported that in recent weeks, Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio have been embroiled in a heated political controversy.
The Kogi-born politician had submitted a petition to the Senate, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
However, on March 6, the Ethics Committee of the Senate rejected her petition and imposed a six-month suspension on her without pay.
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