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Natasha faces six-count charge over alleged false claims
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Prosecution led by Federal Government through AGF’s office
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Trial fixed for September 22 before Justice Mohammed Umar
The Federal High Court in Abuja will on Monday, September 22, 2025, open trial against suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over allegations of cybercrime against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation is prosecuting Natasha on a six-count criminal charge, accusing her of spreading false and injurious electronic communications intended to malign reputations, incite the public, and endanger lives.
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Justice Mohammed Umar will preside, while Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, is set to lead the case for the Federal Government. Natasha’s defence team will be led by Prof Roland Otaru, SAN.
Court filings marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025 allege that Natasha, on April 1, 2025, told a gathering in Ihima, Okehi LGA, Kogi State, that Akpabio directed Bello to assassinate her, with instructions that it should be made to look like locals carried it out. She allegedly repeated the claim during a television interview.
The statements, according to prosecutors, violated Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, which criminalises false and injurious electronic communication.
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Akpabio had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, insisting Natasha’s accusations damaged his reputation. Police investigations linked her statements to cybercrime offences, leading to her arraignment on June 30, 2025, where she pleaded not guilty.
The suspended senator was admitted to bail on self-recognisance after the prosecution did not oppose her application. Justice Umar fixed September 22 for full trial.
Prof Otaru, SAN, had argued that Natasha posed no flight risk and would not interfere with witnesses, stressing that the Constitution presumes her innocent and that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, supports bail for such offences.
The trial will now test the weight of the Federal Government’s cybercrime charges against the embattled lawmaker, who maintains her claims stand.
