ABUJA/Nigeria: A High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has granted bail in the sum of N50 million to the suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Chizoba Orji, who delivered the ruling, dismissed the Federal Government’s objection to her bail application. Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on a three-count charge, though details of the allegations were not disclosed in court.
The prosecution had urged the court to remand her in prison custody pending the determination of the case. However, Justice Orji held that the court found no justifiable reason to deny her bail, noting that there was enough evidence to show she was prepared to stand trial.
In addition to the N50 million bond, the court ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to produce a surety of integrity who owns a landed property within Abuja.
The judge cited Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as the legal basis for the decision.
