The government specifically alleged she knew her statements would harm the reputation of Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio
Sen. Natasha Arraigned for Alleged Defamation of Akpabio, Yahaya Bello—Gets N50m Bail
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday arraigned by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on charges of allegedly making defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges, which stem from comments made during a television interview and a private conversation, accuse the lawmaker of intending to harm the reputation of the two political figures.
According to the AGF, Akpoti-Uduaghan was charged with three counts of alleged defamation, based on her “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, and punishable under Section 392.
One part of the charge reads:
“Making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under Section 392 of the same Law.”
The government specifically alleged she knew her statements would harm the reputation of Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON.
Appearing before Justice Chizoba Oji at the FCT High Court, Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, requested that the senator be remanded in custody pending the hearing of her bail application. However, her lawyer, Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), immediately applied for bail, urging the court to consider her constitutional right to presumption of innocence.
Otaru argued that his client posed no flight risk and would not interfere with investigations or witnesses, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which encourages the granting of bail for non-capital offences.
The prosecution objected, claiming the defendant had been evasive and that the process of serving her the charge had been difficult.
In her ruling, Justice Oji emphasized that the offence was not capital in nature and reaffirmed the constitutional presumption of innocence.
She granted Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in the same amount. The surety must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The case was adjourned to September 23 for the commencement of trial.
This is not the first legal battle the senator is facing over defamation-related allegations. A separate six-count cybercrime charge filed by the AGF against Akpoti-Uduaghan is scheduled for arraignment on June 30. That case also involves alleged defamatory remarks directed at the Senate President, and the court had previously directed that she be served through her legal counsel.
As both matters proceed, the spotlight remains on the growing legal confrontations between Nigerian public figures and the state over reputation and speech.
