Natasha docked over alleged defamation of Akpabio, Yahaya Bello, gets N50m bail

Natasha

By KEMI KAYODE

*Trial begins Sept 23.The suspended Kogi CentralSenator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello.She was put on trial by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice AGF on 3-counts criminal charges bordering on harmful imputatiom.The embattled suspended Senator was accompanied to the court for the trial by her husband and associates.However when the charge was read, she pleaded not guilty.in view of her plea, the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe asked Justice Chisoba Oji to remand her in prison till the determination of the charge.However, Natasha’s lawyer, Professor Roland Otaru sought and got permission to move bail application for the defendant on the grounds that it was matured for hearing having been served on the prosecution and having joined issues with each other.In moving the bail application, Otaru urged the judge to exercise her discretion in favour of the defendant.He argued that the suspended senator was not a flight risk and would not interfere with police investigation and witnesses.Besides, he submitted that the Constitution of the country presumes her innocent, while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 emphasizes bail in such an offence.On his part, the prosecuting lawyer urged the judge to refuse the bail application, adding that the prosecution took great efforts and encountered difficulties before the defendant could be served with the charge.However, in her ruling, Justice Chisoba Oji noted that the alleged offence was not a capital one and that the law presumes her innocent for now.She admitted her to bail in the sum of N50M and one reasonable surety in the like sum.The judge held that the surety must be owner of land property within the jurisdiction of the court.Meanwhile, September 23 has been fixed for the commencement of trial in the charge markedCR/297/25 filed on May 15, 2025.Natasha is, in count one of the charge, accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, to kill her.In count two, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.She is, in count three, accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniubong.