Akpoti-Uduaghan Docked for Alleged Cybercrime against Akpabio, Bello, Released on Self Recognition

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The senator for Kogi Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Monday arraigned before a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was, however, admitted to bail on self-recognisance by Justice Mohammed Umar, who recognised her status as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a lawyer.

Besides, the court agreed with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Chief Roland Otaru, SAN, that the defendant was not a flight risk.

The Kogi senator had pleaded not guilty to all six-count charge bordering on making statements via broadcast that were allegedly capable of harming the person of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The federal government, represented by Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had told the court that the prosecution was not opposed to the bail application and did not also file a counter affidavit.

Abubakar, however, urged the court to admit the defendant to bail in a term that would ensure that the she attended her trial.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice had on May 22 slammed a six-count charge bordering on cyber-bullying and defamation against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had been suspended from the senate for allegedly violating the senate rules.

The filing of the charge was sequel to a complaint by Akpabio.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, the Kogi senator was alleged to have, while on a live television programme, accused the senate president and the ex-Kogi State governor of plotting her assassination.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was in count one alleged to have on or about April 1, 2025, while addressing a crowd of people at Ihima Community, Kogi State, “intentionally caused the following communication to be transmitted via a computer system and network, to wit:  ‘…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello, I am saying, standing by what I have said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me here…’”

According to the charge, the defendant “knew this contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio as the President of the Senate, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

In count two, the defendant was alleged to have on or about April 1, 2025 while addressing a crowd of people at Ihima Community, Kogi State, within the jurisdiction of the court “intentionally caused the following communication to be transmitted via a computer system and network, to wit: ‘…and Akpapio told Yahaya bello, I am saying, standing by what I have said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me here…”

The federal government claimed the defendant knew that contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Bello, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024 and punishable under same section of the Act.

The fedral government in count three said the defendant on a live television programme accused Akpabio and Bello of holding a meeting where discussions on her elimination was held, with the intention to harm the reputation of the senate president.

The court fixed September 22 for trial.