Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been arraigned for the second time over alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central was brought before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday and was granted bail on self-recognition.
She pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The charge borders on alleged defamation and cybercrime, with the Federal Government accusing her of making injurious statements against Akpabio and Bello via online platforms.
The AGF did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Umar, in his ruling, held that as a serving senator, Natasha could be granted bail on self-recognition and adjourned the case to September 22, 2025 for hearing.
This fresh arraignment comes just 11 days after she was first arraigned on June 19 before Justice Chizoba Orji of the FCT High Court on a similar three-count charge, also involving defamation claims tied to a television interview and phone call.
In the earlier case, she had accused the Senate President and Yahaya Bello of plotting her assassination, alleging that her security was withdrawn to enable the plan. She was granted N50 million bail and is expected to appear in court again on September 23 for trial.
Natasha’s legal troubles began after her public allegations against Akpabio, which also led to her six-month suspension from the Senate in March. She claimed the moves against her are politically motivated and part of a wider attempt to silence her.
Critics have accused the government of “forum shopping,” a term used when multiple similar charges are filed in different courts to overwhelm a defendant. Civil society groups have also raised concerns about the implications of the charges on freedom of expression.
Natasha, a lawyer and rights advocate, is the first woman elected to the Senate from Kogi Central. She ran under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and defeated APC’s Abubakar Ohere in a tightly contested February 2023 election.
