Kogi Reporters

Third Attack on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Family Home Foiled by Vigilantes

Gunmen launched another assault on the family residence of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Ihima, located in the Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Tuesday. This marks the third reported attack on the lawmaker’s family house in recent months, with a previous incident occurring in April.

The latest attack was swiftly repelled by local vigilantes and concerned youths, who acted promptly to protect the property and prevent damage.

During the confrontation, one suspect was apprehended at the scene. According to local sources, the individual confessed to participating in the attack and admitted involvement in two previous assaults on the property. A cutlass and some charms were recovered from him at the time of his arrest.

The suspect has since been handed over to the police for further investigation, while other attackers, reportedly armed with dangerous weapons, remain at large. Authorities are continuing efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.

Court Grants Bail to Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Defamation Case

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has granted bail to the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The bail was set at ₦50 million, with the requirement of one surety — a person of integrity who owns landed property in Abuja.

Justice Chizoba Orji, who delivered the ruling, rejected the Federal Government’s request for the Senator to be remanded in prison pending the conclusion of her trial. The judge noted that there was enough evidence to demonstrate the defendant's willingness to attend her trial.

Citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Orji ruled that the defendant was entitled to bail. The case has been adjourned to September 23 for trial.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on a three-count charge stemming from a statement she made during a live appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today. She allegedly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her — a claim the government says was false and defamatory.

According to the charge (CR/297/25), her actions contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code, and the offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law. The charge claims that her comments were made with the intent to harm the reputation of those involved.

The list of witnesses includes Senate President Akpabio and ex-Governor Yahaya Bello, along with two police investigators (Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba), Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Sandra Duru.

This criminal charge followed a letter written by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in which she accused the police of bias in their investigation of her complaints against the Senate President.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja is set to rule on June 27 on the legality of her six-month suspension from the Senate. The suspension came after a confrontation on the Senate floor on February 20, during which she challenged changes to her seating arrangement and was repeatedly overruled by Senate President Akpabio.

Following the incident, she was referred to the Senate Ethics Committee and later suspended. In a February 28 television interview, she alleged that her issues with the Senate stemmed from rejecting unwanted advances from the Senate President.

She has since filed an ex-parte motion, asking the court to declare any actions taken by the Senate Committee during her ongoing legal battle — including her suspension — null and void.

Kogi State Government Appointees Back Tinubu-Ododo 2027 Continuity Agenda

Government appointees in Kogi State have thrown their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s re-election bid, citing their strong performance and transformative leadership.

At a press briefing held in Lokoja, the Chairman of the Combined State Government Appointees Forum, Hon. Bode Adeyemi, emphasized the need to consolidate on the progress made under the current administration. He credited President Tinubu with steering the nation away from economic and security decline and placing Nigeria firmly on a trajectory of development and stability.

“The administration’s economic reforms, improved security architecture, infrastructure investment, and education and health sector improvements have repositioned Nigeria for shared prosperity,” Adeyemi stated.

The forum applauded key policy decisions by the Tinubu-led government, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the significant financial empowerment of state governments. They also noted the federal government’s strides in infrastructural development as key achievements.

Governor Ododo’s leadership was equally lauded for being people-centered and progressive, with officials highlighting his efforts in transforming Kogi into one of the most rapidly advancing states in the country.

In a show of commitment, the appointees vowed to galvanize support across all wards to secure 239,000 verifiable votes for Tinubu and all party candidates in the 2027 general elections. They unveiled the formation of a new political platform, the Kogi Continuity Mandate, to coordinate grassroots mobilisation and voter engagement.

Governor Ododo has been named the Grand Patron of the group, while Deputy Governor Joel Salifu will chair its Board of Trustees. Various operational committees—including political strategy, media outreach, and social intervention projects—have also been established to drive the movement’s objectives.

The forum, comprising commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, and local and ward-level aides, made a formal declaration of loyalty and support for the Tinubu-Ododo continuity ticket, pledging to sustain the current momentum of growth and governance delivery in both state and federal levels.

Dear Senator Echocho,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to respectfully bring to your attention the dire condition of the Ogugu Centre–Ofante–Unyi Ogugu Road. This road, which serves as a vital link to our community, has become completely inaccessible. It is now so overgrown with bushes that not even a bicycle can pass through, let alone vehicles. This has made life extremely difficult for residents who have to trek long distances or rely on motorcycles to get to and from the city.

Beyond the road, our community is facing several other challenges. We no longer have a functioning primary school, access to clean water is nonexistent, and basic infrastructure has completely deteriorated. Ogugu is in urgent need of development, and we kindly appeal for your intervention.

I am aware that senators carry out constituency projects, and while I believe you may be working on initiatives, we humbly ask that you also consider our community as a priority. Kindly use your good office to reach out to the relevant state authorities, including the Governor of Kogi State, to help bring relief to Ogugu. As of today, we have not seen any tangible government project in our area.

Please, we are counting on your leadership and representation to help change the narrative for our community. We know change is possible, and with your support, we believe Ogugu can rise again.

Thank you, and may your service continue to bring positive impact across Kogi East.

___From a concerned citizen