The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, following her arraignment on a six-count charge related to alleged cybercrime offences.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the embattled senator bail on self-recognition, after she pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Federal Government accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making false and injurious statements against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The charges stem from public comments she made alleging a plot to have her killed.

According to the charge, she was quoted as saying: “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.”

The prosecution also cited her appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where she reiterated the allegation: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night… to eliminate me.”

The Federal Government argued that the statements were knowingly false and disseminated widely via digital platforms to incite public unrest, in violation of Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act. This section prohibits the intentional spread of false information intended to damage reputations or provoke disorder.

During Monday’s proceedings, her lead counsel, Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), urged the court to grant bail on the grounds of her status as a serving senator and a senior member of the legal profession. He noted that the prosecution did not file any counter-affidavit opposing the bail application.

Justice Umar agreed with the defence and granted Akpoti-Uduaghan bail on self-recognition, adjourning the case to September 22 for the commencement of trial.