Senator Natasha arraigned in Abuja over alleged cybercrime offences against Akpabio, Bello

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of cybercrime allegedly targeted at the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

The suspended senator appeared in court following a six-count criminal charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice. The charges, which center on cybercrime-related offenses, accuse her of making harmful statements during a public address and a television interview.

Natasha, who was accompanied by her husband, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The case stems from a petition by Senate President Akpabio, who alleged that Natasha’s public statements accusing him of plotting her assassination had tarnished his reputation. He claimed she falsely alleged that he instructed Bello to ensure her killing occurred in Kogi State to deflect suspicion.

Following investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, the AGF’s office brought forward the charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. The charge sheet, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, accuses Natasha of transmitting false and injurious content via electronic means, with the alleged intent to defame, incite unrest, and endanger lives.

One of the charges specifies that on April 1, 2025, while addressing a crowd in Ihima, Kogi State, she allegedly made a statement implying that Akpabio told Bello to ensure her assassination happened in Kogi rather than Abuja. A similar allegation was reportedly repeated in a TV interview.

The prosecution, represented by Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, requested a trial date. However, Natasha’s counsel, Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), moved an application for bail, arguing that the senator posed no flight risk and would not obstruct justice.

Otaru also reminded the court of the constitutional presumption of innocence and cited the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which encourages bail in cases of this nature.

With no opposition from the prosecution, the presiding judge granted Natasha bail and scheduled the commencement of the trial for September 22, 2025.

Among the detailed allegations are:

• Count One: That Senator Natasha, on April 1, 2025, at Ihima, Kogi State, transmitted via a computer network a statement suggesting that Senate President Akpabio instructed Bello to have her killed locally to disguise the incident as a community attack. The prosecution claims this communication was injurious to Akpabio’s reputation and constituted a cybercrime offense under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act.
• Count Two: A similar charge relating to the same statement, but alleging defamation and threat against former Governor Yahaya Bello, also under the same legal provision.

The case continues to attract public attention due to its high-profile nature and the implications for political discourse and digital speech in Nigeria.