The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been granted a N50 million bail.
The FCT High Court sitting at Maitama granted Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan bail over alleged defamation on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on a three-count charge.
Justice Chizoba Orji rejected the Federal Government’s application for the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of the case against her.
Justice Orji held that she found no reason to deny Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan bail.
According to the judge, there was sufficient evidence that the suspended lawmaker is willing to face her trial.
The court, however, said the defendant must produce one surety aside the N50 million bail. The surety must be a person of integrity that owns a landed property in Abuja.
Before her arrival in court, police operatives had taken over security arrangements at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the arraignment of Senator Natasha on alleged defamation.
The police personnel, numbering over 200, were stationed in strategic locations and also within the court premises.
Armed with various weapons, they were said to have been deployed to the court to ward off possible threats to peace in the area before, during, and after the arraignment.
Politicians believed to be followers of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, had jam-packed the courtroom, waiting for the arraignment slated for 11 a.m.
Senator Natasha’s sympathizers, led by former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, and other human rights activists were early in court.
