Cybercrime Trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Alleged Defamation of Akpabio, Yahaya Bello Begins September 22
Story: written by Peterson September 22,2025
The Federal High Court in Abuja will on Monday, September 22, 2025, commence the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central on a six-count cybercrime charge involving alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The case, filed and coordinated by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, stems from accusations that Senator Natasha circulated false and damaging claims against the two political leaders.
Natasha, who has been suspended from the Senate for six months over a separate breach of parliamentary rules, was first arraigned on June 30, 2025. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Justice Mohammed Umar will preside over the proceedings, while the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, will lead the prosecution. The defense team will be headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Roland Otaru, who is representing the embattled senator.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, accuse Natasha of making false and inflammatory statements both at a political gathering in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, Kogi State, and during a television interview.
Prosecutors allege that she claimed Akpabio instructed Bello to have her assassinated in Kogi State, statements the government says were transmitted electronically and designed to incite unrest, endanger lives, and damage reputations.
Following her arraignment, Justice Umar granted Natasha bail on self-recognizance, ruling that she was neither a flight risk nor likely to obstruct investigations.
Her lawyer, Prof. Otaru, argued successfully that under Nigeria’s Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015), Natasha remains innocent until proven guilty and qualified for bail.
The trial, starting on September 22, will determine whether the suspended senator violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, which criminalizes the transmission of harmful, false, or injurious information via electronic means.
