The An Abuja High Court on Thursday admitted the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan, to bail in the sum of N50 million for alleged defamation.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, charged Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan with three counts bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The suspended senator was accompanied to the court for the trial by her husband and associates.
However when the charge was read, she pleaded not guilty.
In view of her plea, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe asked Justice Chizoba Oji to remand her in a correction centre pending the determination of bail.
However, Apoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Prof. Roland Otaru, sought and got permission to move the bail application for the defendant .
This was on the grounds that it was mature for hearing, having served on the prosecution and having joined issues with each other.
In moving the bail application, Mr Otaru urged the judge to exercise her discretion in favour of the defendant.
He argued that the suspended senator was not a flight risk and would not interfere with police investigation and witnesses.
He submitted that the constitution of the country presumed her innocent, while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 emphasised bail in such an offence.
On his part, the prosecution counsel urged the judge to refuse the bail application.
He added that the prosecution took great efforts and encountered difficulties before the defendant could be served with the charge.
However, in her ruling, Justice Oji noted that the alleged offence was not a capital one and that the law presumed her innocent for now.
She admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one reasonable surety in the like sum.
The judge held that the surety must be owner of a land property within the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Oji subsequently adjourned until September 23 for the commencement of trial.
The senator was accused of making a harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of Mr Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with Mr Bello, to kill her.
In count two, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it would harm the reputation of ex-governor Bello.
She is, in count three, accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Mr Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniubong.
(NAN)
