Akpoti-Uduaghan docked for cybercrime, granted bail

Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Monday arraigned on six counts bordering on alleged cybercrime against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello at Federal High Court, Abuja.

She was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar.

However, the Senator pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Consequently, her lawyer Roland Otaru (SAN), requested that she should be granted bail on self-recognition as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a senior member of the bar.

Otaru also argued that there was no counter affidavit from the prosecution challenging the bail application.

The Judge granted the bail, adjourning the case to September 22, 2025 for commencement of trial.

She was accompanied to court on Monday by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan and supporters.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Abuja had last Tuesday, fixed June 27 to deliver judgment in the contempt claims filed by against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio

Justice Binta Nyako would also deliver a judgment on the preliminary objection filed by all the defendants in the suit, including the senate president, challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Nyako made this known after Michael Numa, SAN, who appeared for Akpoti-Uduaghan, and lawyers to the defendants identified and adopted their processes in the suit.
“I want to believe that all processes are in.

“What I am going to do is to first of all look at the issues of contempt and take a decision on it.

“Then I will look at the notices of preliminary objection. If they succeeds, that is the end of the case and if they don’t, I will look at the originating summons filed by the plaintiff,” the judge said.