- Trial of Suspended Senator Natasha Begins Today
- She faces six-count charges over allegations against Akpabio and Bello.
- Justice Umar presides, with prosecution and defence teams fully assembled
The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will today, September 22, 2025, face trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged cybercrime offences against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the case stems from a six-count criminal charge coordinated by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was first arraigned on June 30, 2025, where she pleaded not guilty to charges bordering on the alleged circulation of false and injurious information via electronic means. According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, she is accused of making electronic communications intended to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.
One of the counts alleged that she told a public gathering in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, on April 1, 2025, that Akpabio instructed Bello to have her assassinated in Kogi State to make it appear as though it was carried out by locals. She allegedly repeated the claim during a television interview, suggesting a conspiracy against her life.
Justice Mohammed Umar will preside over the trial, with the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, leading the Federal Government’s case. Akpoti-Uduaghan will be represented by a legal team led by Professor Roland Otaru (SAN).
The case followed a petition by Senate President Akpabio to the Inspector General of Police, alleging reputational damage. Investigations reportedly linked the matter to cybercrime provisions, prompting the Federal Government’s prosecution.
When arraigned in June, the court granted Natasha bail on self-recognizance, with Justice Umar affirming her presumption of innocence and ruling that she posed no flight risk or threat to the investigation.
