The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following a controversial allegation she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Senator Natasha is currently facing legal action brought by the Federal Government after she claimed that Akpabio and Bello were plotting to assassinate her. The claim has since sparked public and political reactions across the country, intensifying tensions within the ruling class.
Natasha, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, arrived at the court premises on Wednesday, June 19, 2025, accompanied by her husband and legal team. The atmosphere at the court was charged, with supporters and media representatives gathered outside.
The court session, which began in the early hours, saw the formal arraignment of the senator before Justice S. B. Belgore. Her counsel entered a not-guilty plea to the charges filed against her by the Federal Government, which accuses her of making “inciting and unsubstantiated allegations capable of causing public unrest and endangering national security.”
After the arraignment, the defense team requested bail, arguing that the senator had no criminal record, posed no flight risk, and had consistently cooperated with investigative authorities. The prosecution, however, objected, citing the seriousness of the claims and the possible implications for national security.
In his ruling, Justice Belgore granted Senator Natasha bail on self-recognizance and directed her to deposit her travel documents with the court registrar. He warned her against making further public comments on the case until its resolution.
“The defendant is hereby granted bail in the interest of justice. However, she must refrain from making any further public statements on the matter pending the court’s final decision,” the judge stated.
The case has been adjourned to September 23, 2025, for the next hearing.
The allegations made by Senator Natasha earlier this month had drawn national attention. In a video statement posted on her social media platforms, she accused Senate President Akpabio and former Governor Bello of orchestrating a plot to eliminate her over her growing influence in Kogi State and her recent activism within the National Assembly.
“These men are powerful, and they’re afraid of what I represent,” Natasha had said in the now-viral video. “But I will not be silenced. If anything happens to me, the world should hold them responsible.”
Both Akpabio and Bello have strongly denied the allegations. Through separate press statements, their aides dismissed the claims as “baseless, politically motivated, and a deliberate attempt to smear their reputations.”
The presidency has remained silent on the matter, but political observers believe the case could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As the court proceedings continue, civil society organizations and legal experts have called for transparency and impartiality in handling the case, stressing the importance of protecting free speech while also safeguarding national stability.
Senator Natasha, known for her outspoken nature and reform-driven agenda, remains a central figure in Nigeria’s unfolding political drama. All eyes will now turn to September, when the case resumes for further deliberation.
