Court Grants Natasha N50m Bail In Akpabio, Bello’s Alleged Defamation Suit

Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday granted bail to the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the sum of N50m following her arraignment on allegations of defamation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, brought against her by the Federal Government.

The lawmaker made alleged damaging claims during a television interview and private phone call, that Akpabio and Bello had conspired to assassinate her.

FG, in one of the charges referenced her statement, saying, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me… Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. He then emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.”

According to the FG, the comments amounted to an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code, which deals with imputations that could damage a person’s reputation. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

The list of prosecution witnesses includes both Akpabio and Bello, who are expected to testify during the trial.

At Thursday’s proceedings, when the charges were read to her, she pleaded not guilty.

In her rulling, Justice Orji granted Akpoti-Uduaghan bail of N50m with one surety in like sum.

The court held that the surety must be a responsible resident of the FCT and own landed property within Abuja.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to September 23 for commencement of trial.

Court Grants Natasha N50m Bail In Akpabio, Bello’s Alleged Defamation Suit is first published on The Whistler Newspaper