Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan who was docked before the Federal high court in Abuja this Monday has been granted bail on self recognition after pleading not guilty to a six-count charge on Cybercrime and criminal defamation.
Justice Mohamed Umar in a short ruling granted her bail on the grounds that the Senator is currently enjoying similar bail in a similar suit before the High court of the Federal
Capital Territory, and based on the submission of the defense lawyer for the court to do so.
Senator Akpoti-Udaughan is accused of making criminal imputation to cause harm to the person of the Senate president and the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Senator Akpoti-Udaughan had been arraigned before Justice Chizuba Oji of the FCT high court in Maitama on similar charges to which she pleaded not guilty.
The senator was granted bail to the tune of 50million Naira and a surety in like sum.
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Before now, the Federal high court had rejected a prayer by the federal government for the Senator to be arrested on the ground that she was not in court on the last adjourned date, having been served the charge through her lawyers.
The court however went on to grant an order of substituted service and adjourned to today for her arraignment to take place.
When the matter commenced, the prosecution lawyer urged the court to handle proceedings at its discretion as they did not move for the defendant to be remanded after she took her plea.
However the defense lawyer moved an application for bail, making reference to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and also on the ground that the offense is bailable.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
