Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Appears in Court for Second Arraignment Over Defamation Charges

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja for her second arraignment in an ongoing defamation case filed by the Federal Government.

She arrived at the courthouse on Monday, June 30, 2025, accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, rights activist Aisha Yesufu, and a large group of supporters. The case is being presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar.

The new charges stem from her televised claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate her. The government is accusing her of criminal defamation under both the Penal Code and the Cybercrime Act.

This arraignment follows an earlier court appearance on June 19 at the FCT High Court, where the court refused to issue a bench warrant due to improper service of charges.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court granted Senator Natasha bail on self-recognition, with the next hearing adjourned to September 22, 2025.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has continued to maintain her innocence and insists that the charges are politically motivated.