Court Grants Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Bail on Self-Recognition

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has been granted bail on self-recognition by the Federal High Court in Abuja after pleading not guilty to six counts of alleged cybercrime.

Presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, ruled in her favor on Monday, June 30, 2025, following a bail application by her counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN). Otaru argued that, as a serving senator and senior member of the bar, she deserved to be granted bail on personal recognition. He also noted that the prosecution did not oppose the application with a counter affidavit.

The court accepted the submission and released the lawmaker without any conditions, adjourning the matter to September 22, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

Senator Natasha was arraigned on charges related to statements she allegedly made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. She was accompanied to court by her husband Emmanuel Uduaghan, activist Aisha Yesufu, and several supporters.

This marks her second arraignment in two weeks over similar allegations.