Alleged defamation: Court admits Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan to N50m bail

An Abuja High Court on Thursday admitted the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan to bail in the sum of N50million for alleged defamation.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation charged Akpoti-Uduaghan with three counts bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello.

The suspended senator was accompanied to the court for the trial by her husband and associates.

However, when the charge was read, she pleaded not guilty.

In view of her plea, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, asked Justice Chizoba Oji to remand her in a correction centre pending the determination bail.

However, Natasha’s counsel, Prof. Roland Otaru, sought and got permission to move bail application for the defendant.

This was on the grounds that it was matured for hearing having been served on the prosecution and having joined issues with each other.

In moving the bail application, Otaru urged the judge to exercise her discretion in favour of the defendant.

He argued that the suspended Sen was not a flight risk and would not interfere with police investigation and witnesses.

He submitted that the constitution of the country presumes her innocent, while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 emphasises bail in such an offence.

On his part, the prosecution counsel urged the judge to refuse the bail application.

He added that the prosecution took great efforts and encountered difficulties before the defendant could be served with the charge.

However, in her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji, noted that the alleged offence was not a capital one and that the law presumes her innocent for now.

She admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one reasonable surety in the like sum.

The judge held that the surety must be owner of land property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Oji subsequently, adjourned until Sept. 23 for the commencement of trial.

The senator was accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with Bello, to kill her.

In count two, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.

She is, in count three, accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniubong. (NAN)