Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, appeared in court on June 30 after being taken to court by the Federal Government. The hearing was held at the Federal High Court in Abuja. She is being accused of making false statements against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The government has filed six charges of defamation against her.

After the court explained the charges to her, Senator Natasha pleaded not guilty. The judge allowed her to go home on bail based on her position as a senator without requiring any surety. The court then fixed the next hearing date for September 22, 2025, when the trial will begin.

Her lawyer, Roland Otaru (SAN), asked the court to grant her bail on self-recognition, explaining that she is a senator and a senior member of the legal profession. He also noted that the prosecution had not filed any documents to oppose her bail request.

Senator Natasha was accompanied to the court by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, well-known activist Aisha Yesufu, and many supporters. This was not the first time she was being taken to court for the same reason. On June 19, she had also been arraigned at a different court in Abuja over similar defamation claims.

At the earlier hearing, the government asked the judge to issue a bench warrant for her arrest because she was not in court. However, the judge refused. He explained that Senator Natasha had not been properly informed about the charges or the court date, so it was wrong to expect her to be present.

According to the government, Senator Natasha had gone on live television and claimed that Yahaya Bello and Godswill Akpabio were planning to kill her. The Attorney General’s office filed the lawsuit, accusing her of making false and harmful statements about the two political figures.