Akpabio, Yahaya Bello defamation: At last Natasha arraigned, gets N50m bail

Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello.

She was put on trial by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) on three-count criminal charges bordering on harmful imputations during a television interview.

The suspended senator was accompanied to the court for the trial by her husband and a retinue of sympathizers.

When the charges were read, she pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Upon her denial of the allegations, the Federal Government lawyer, David Kaswe, asked Justice Chizoba Orji to remand her in prison till the determination of the charge.

However, Natasha’s lawyer, Professor Roland Otaru, SAN, sought and got permission to move bail application for the defendant on the ground that it was mature for hearing, having already been served on the prosecution.

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

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

Besides, he submitted that the Constitution presumes her innocent while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 emphasizes bail in such an offence.

On his part, the Federal Government lawyer made spirited efforts to get the bail application refused, arguing that it took great efforts and difficulties before Natasha could be served with the charge.

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

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