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Court grants Natasha N50m bail, criminal trial begins September
Natasha Akpoti, the senator representing Kogi Central, has been granted bail to yje tune of N50m by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Chizoba Orji who granted her bail, rejected application of the Federal Government made for the defendant who was arraigned on a three-count charge, to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of the case against her.
Justice Orji held that she found no reason to deny the defendant bail, saying there was sufficient evidence that she is willing to face her trial.
Consequently, aside from the N50m, the court held that the defendant must produce one surety who must be a person of integrity that owns a landed property in Abuja.
The court based its decision on section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as section 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The case was subsequently adjourned till September 23 for trial. FG is prosecuting the lawmaker for allegedly making a false claim that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, were behind plot to assassinate her.
In the charge marked: CR/297/25, FG alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was listed as the sole defendant, made the false and defamatory remarks when she appeared as guest on live television.
It specifically accused her of making “imputation, knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.”
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and husband in court
According to the charge, by making such false imputation that tarnished the image of others, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, committed an offence under 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. It added that the alleged offence is punishable under section 392 of the same law.
Giving particulars of the offence in count-one of the charge, FG, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged crime on April 3, during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Among those listed as witnesses in the matter, included the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who were cited as nominal complainants.
Other witnesses billed to testify in the case are two police officers that investigated the matter, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba; a Senator, Asuquo Ekpenyong and one Sandra Duru.
The charge, dated May 16, came on the heels of a letter Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, wherein she accused police of exhibiting bias in the investigation of her petitions against the Senate President.
It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja had fixed June 27 to determine the legality or otherwise of the six-month suspension that was slammed on the defendant by the Senate.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the court after she was summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee following a faceoff she had with the Senate President during plenary on February 20.
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Anambra debunks story of collapsed govt house structures
Anambra State has described as untrue, story making the rounds on media that some structures at the new government house collapsed on Thursday following rainstorm.
A statement signed by Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Saturday, said the report was false and malicious, saying no structure within the new government house collapsed.
The statement said what was affected was a portion of the barricade barriers constructed outside the government house perimeter fence and attributed the incident to heavy wind that affected many structures across the state including privately owned properties.
The statement reads- “The attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to misleading and mischievous reports by a few sections of the media suggesting that “a structure in the new Government House” collapsed due to substandard quality during the heavy rainstorm that occurred on Thursday evening, 9th April, 2026.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight, we wish to state categorically that no structure within the Anambra State Government House collapsed. What was affected were a few partitions of the barricade barriers erected outside the Government House, approximately 20 metres away from the perimeter fence.
“The unfortunate incident was as a result of heavy wind and thunderstorms that wreaked havoc across several parts of the state that evening, which also affected property in private homes.
“Meanwhile, the Anambra Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) has already mobilised to the site. Work is ongoing to fully rebuild the damaged sections of the barrier and to introduce additional engineering measures, including the creation of ample space to allow for free flow of heavy wind, in order to prevent future occurrences.
“The Anambra State Government condemns the circulation of fake news on this matter as a deliberate attempt by a few misguided elements to mislead Ndi Anambra and politicise a natural weather event which is not exclusive to Anambra State.
“We urge the general public to disregard the fake news and continue to support the progressive agenda of Mr Governor.”
News
Kambari commends NiMet’s contributions to aviation safety, national dev
Photo caption: (L-R) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari; and the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike on Thursday, played host to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmud Adam Kambari, who was in his office at the agency’s Abuja headquarters.
The visit is part of ongoing familiarization tour by Kambari, of the agencies under the Ministry and is aimed at strengthening institutional alignment, enhancing collaboration, and reviewing operational priorities within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
During the engagement, Prof. Charles Anosike presented an overview of the Agency’s mandate, technical capabilities, and key initiatives.
He highlighted the strategic importance of NiMet’s mandate within the aviation industry and beyond, including various publications generated by the Agency such as the Aeronautical Meteorological Bulletin, the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and others in supporting air navigation, national planning, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience.
He noted that meteorological services have evolved beyond traditional observation, monitoring and forecasting to becoming critical tools for national security, economic stability, food security, and sustainable development.
“Accurate and timely weather and climate information plays a vital role in safeguarding lives, livelihoods and property across multiple sectors,” Anosike noted.
He also outlined notable milestones, including the attainment of ISO certifications, which underscore NiMet’s adherence to international standards in service delivery.
Additionally, he highlighted the Agency’s growing partnerships with key national institutions, as well as international partners, aimed at strengthening capacity, improving services and enhancing national resilience.
In his remarks, Kambari commended NiMet for its strategic contributions to aviation safety and national development. He stressed the importance of collaboration, capacity building, and alignment with national aviation objectives.
“Strong institutional synergy is essential for achieving the Ministry’s mandate,” The Permanent Secretary emphasized.
He further underscored the need to prioritise staff welfare, describing a motivated and well-supported workforce as fundamental to effective service delivery.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting NiMet in strengthening operational capacity, enhancing workforce development, and sustaining high-quality service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied by directors and senior officials of the Ministry.
The visit aligns with the broader vision of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to promote synergy, innovation, and efficiency across agencies under the Ministry.
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Photo News: Jonathan Foundation host talk on Democracy and Economic Growth
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Photo News: Ongoing conversation organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) on Democracy and Economic Growth Nexus Report Launch at Transcorps Hilton Abuja. Among dignitaries include ex-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, SGF George Akume, Minister of state Budget Doris Uzoka Anita, Mr. Peter Obi, Dr. Mathew Ayibakuro, Dr. Sam Amadi (represented), Majeed Dahiru and others. The event was declared open by GJF Executive Director, Ann Iyonu. Details loading.
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