A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan bail on personal recognizance.
Justice Musa Umar of the Federal High Court granted the Senator bail on her personal assurance to appear in court for the trial in the case of defamation levelled against her by the Federal government with Godswill Akpabio and Yahaya Bello being the complainants.
Natasha was accompanied to the court by her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan along with human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu and many other supporters.
The Federal High Court had earlier rejected the Federal Government’s request to issue an arrest warrant against Natasha after the prosecutors filed the charge but delayed service till the morning of the day of arraignment.
The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Umar, delivered the ruling after the federal government’s counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that the charge had been served on her lawyer earlier that morning in the courtroom.
Justice Umar stated that, as the senator had not previously been served with the charge or a hearing notice, it was inconceivable for her to have appeared in court.
On this basis, he refused the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.
Granting Senator Natasha bail on personal recognizance in second arraignment simply means she has been released from custody on her own promise to appear in court, without needing to pay bail, during her second court appearance for the charges against her.
