Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udauaghan was docked at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, facing six counts of cybercrime charges. The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, were brought by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alleging that Akpoti-Udauaghan made harmful imputations while making public comments and granting a television interview.

1. The allegations against Akpoti-Udauaghan stem from statements she made about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, claiming they conspired to eliminate her. The Federal Government contends that these statements were false and intended to malign, incite, and endanger lives, breaching public order.

Akpoti-Udauaghan pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her lawyer, Professor Roland Otaru SAN, applied for bail, arguing that she was not a flight risk and would not interfere with police investigation and witnesses. The prosecution did not oppose the bail application, and the Judge admitted Akpoti-Udauaghan to bail.

The court fixed September 22 for the commencement of trial. The charges against Akpoti-Udauaghan include allegations that she intentionally transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means, calculated to harm the reputation of Akpabio and Bello.

Some of the particulars of the charge include claims that Akpoti-Udauaghan alleged Akpabio instructed Bello to have her eliminated in Kogi State. She allegedly repeated this narrative in a television interview, suggesting a murderous conspiracy against her life by Akpabio and Yahaya Bello.

The offences are contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and punishable under the same Act.