The Federal Government on Monday arraigned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on six counts bordering on alleged cybercrime.

The charges relate to comments she allegedly made about Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker pleaded not guilty. Justice Mohammed Umar granted her bail on self-recognition, acknowledging her status as a sitting senator and a senior lawyer.

The trial is scheduled to commence on 22 September 2025.

Her counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN), had asked the court to grant bail on self-recognition, noting the absence of any counter-affidavit from the prosecution.

Senator Natasha appeared in court alongside her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan; activist Aisha Yesufu; and several supporters.

This marks her second arraignment in two weeks. On 19 June, she was arraigned at the FCT High Court on separate defamation charges.

During the previous hearing, the judge rejected the Federal Government’s request for a bench warrant after it emerged that the charge sheet was served on her lawyer only that morning, making her absence justifiable.

According to the charge, Senator Natasha alleged on a live television broadcast that Akpabio and Bello were plotting her assassination.

The charges were filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.