The High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended Senator from Kogi Central Senatorial District, on her recognisance.
Akpoti-Udauaghan faces a six-count indictment related to alleged cybercrime activities. Once the charges were presented, she pleaded not guilty to each count.
The senator is accused of making false and damaging allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
According to the government, these claims, which were widely circulated on digital platforms, were knowingly deceptive and aimed at inciting turmoil.
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.”
The government argued that the statements contravene “Section 24(2)(c)” of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises the deliberate dissemination of false information meant to tarnish reputations or incite public disorder.
In her bail application, Akpoti-Udauaghan’s legal representative, Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), requested bail on her recognisance as she is a senator and a senior bar member. He also pointed out that the prosecution did not file a counter-affidavit disputing the bail request.
Justice Mohammed Umar accepted the defence counsel’s request and allowed the senator to be released on her recognisance.
The court has set the next hearing for September 22 to begin the trial.
