A file Photo of Natasha Akpoti

The Federal High Court in Abuja today granted the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Udauaghan, bail on self-recognition.

Akpoti-Udauaghan was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged defamation.

After the charges were read to her, she pleaded not guilty to all.

The senator allegedly made false and damaging statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi State’s former governor, Yahaya Bello.

According to the charge, Akpoti-Udauaghan was alleged to have said, “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello… that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja; it should be done in Kogi so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me.”

Days later, during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, she reiterated the allegations, asserting, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night… to eliminate me.”

The federal government stated that these statements, widely disseminated through digital platforms, were knowingly false and intended to incite unrest.

The FG further argued that the comments were against “Section 24(2)(c)” of the Cybercrimes Act, which makes it illegal to purposefully disseminate false information in order to harm someone’s reputation or cause unrest in the public.

In requesting bail, Akpoti-Udauaghan’s legal team, headed by Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), asked that she be released on her own recognisance as a senior member of the bar and a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He went on to say that the prosecution has not submitted a counter-affidavit contesting the bail request.

In response to the defence attorney’s request, Justice Mohammed Umar granted the senator bail upon self-recognition.

The court adjourned until September 22 for the commencement of the trial.