Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday granted Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan N50 million bail with one surety after she pleaded not guilty to defamation charges.
The bail conditions required one surety with a landed property in Abuja, who must be a responsible FCT resident.
The Federal Government accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The charges stemed from a television interview where Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly claimed Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her.
Another charge related to a phone conversation with activist Sandra C. Duru, where Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made damaging claims about Akpabio.
The judge adjourned the case to September 23, 2025, for trial.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) criticised the Federal Government’s decision to prosecute Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling for the charges to be dropped.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, including former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili and activist Aisha Yesufu, were present in court to show solidarity.
