The lawmaker arrived at the court premises accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, prominent rights activist Aisha Yesufu, and a crowd of supporters, signalling growing public attention on the case.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central on Monday appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja for her second arraignment over allegations of defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The lawmaker arrived at the court premises accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, prominent rights activist Aisha Yesufu, and a crowd of supporters, signalling growing public attention on the case.

Justice Mohammed Umar is presiding over the proceedings. The case marks the second in a series of legal battles facing the senator, following a similar arraignment held on June 19, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

At the previous hearing, Justice Umar declined an application by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant for Senator Natasha’s arrest after she failed to appear in court.

Government prosecutor David Kaswe had confirmed during that session that the charges were only served to her legal representative on the morning of the hearing.

The judge ruled that since the defendant had not been formally served with the court notice, her absence could not justify the issuance of an arrest order.

The case stems from statements made by the senator during a live television broadcast, where she accused Akpabio and Yahaya Bello of conspiring to assassinate her.

The suit, filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, alleges that her comments amount to criminal defamation.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported on June 19, 2025, that the suspended senator was in court alongside her husband for her arraignment over the defamation suit.

According to the charge sheet obtained by SaharaReporters, and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, the senator is accused of saying that “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello to ensure my killing is done in Kogi, so it appears like a local issue.”

The Federal Government had earlier in May filed a separate three-count charge against her, captured in suit number CR/1277/25, also relating to defamation of Akpabio and Bello.

Akpoti-Uduaghan faces charges bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and defamation under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. If found guilty, she may face severe penalties, including imprisonment.