A federal High Court and a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory have both dismissed the criminal defamation charges brought by the Federal Government against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central senatorial district, following the plaintiff’s withdrawal of the charges. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement, confirmed the development, saying the “ Federal High
A federal High Court and a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory have both dismissed the criminal defamation charges brought by the Federal Government against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central senatorial district, following the plaintiff’s withdrawal of the charges.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement, confirmed the development, saying the “ Federal High Court and the High Court of the FCT formally struck out the two Federal Government Cases against me”.
On Thursday, a federal high court presiding judge, Justice C. N. Oji, acknowledged the Federal Government’s notice of discontinuance and dismissed the case to end the controversial legal battle involving the lawmaker.
The lawyer to the Kogi Senator moved the motion for the matter to be struck out following the withdrawal of the matter by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, a move which was collectively agreed upon by the prosecution counsel.
In response to the parties’ combined stance, the judge stated that the development demonstrated the importance of exercising prosecutorial powers with moderation. Consequently, the case was struck out, and Orji discharged the sureties, ordering that all of their documents be returned to them.
Reacting to the withdrawal of the case by the Federal Government, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “Today’s outcome affirms my belief in the rule of law. I remain committed to serving my constituents and defending the democratic rights of all Nigerians.”
She further acknowledged the support of her legal advisers, constituents, and well-wishers, thanking them for standing by her throughout the legal proceedings and expressing gratitude to her legal team, constituents, and supporters for their steadfast backing throughout the legal process.
She wrote, “With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I sincerely thank the good people of Nigeria, especially the people of Kogi State and most particularly Kogi Central, for their unwavering support through the ordeal.
‘The recent withdrawal of the two federal government cases against me has clearly affirmed what we have always known: that the charges were maliciously instigated by individuals who sought to manipulate the system and persecute an innocent person… me.
“I also extend my appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, in his wisdom and commitment to justice, ensured that the truth prevailed and directed the discontinuance of the cases.
“Aunty Obiageli, Uncle Femi Falana, Dr. Abiola Akiyode, and the entire womanifesto, sister Ayesha Yesufu, sis Opeyemi and Enough is Enough team, Mama Pee, Serap, NBA and many other selfless individuals who risked everything … I respect and adore you all.
“Lastly and dearest of all, my beloved husband, children, office, and PDP team. I love you endlessly.”
She further noted that the discontinuance notices were filed on the 12th of December 2025 and are not connected to the church sermon.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned in June 2025 on a three-count charge bordering on criminal defamation, with the federal government as the complainant. The charges were filed on May 16, 2025, in suit number CR/297/25.
The case lists Godswill Akpabio, the Senate president, and Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state, as nominal complainants.
According to the charge, the lawmaker was accused of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, an offence under section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, and punishable under section 392.
In one of the counts, the Kogi Senator was alleged to have claimed in a television interview that Akpabio and Bello plotted to assassinate her.
She was also accused of making damaging statements about Akpabio during a private phone conversation with one Sandra C. Duru in Abuja on or about March 27, 2025.
The charges follow a series of confrontations between the lawmaker and the senate leadership, which culminated in her suspension from the red chamber on March 6 for what the leadership described as “gross misconduct”.
After an altercation over seating arrangements and what Akpoti-Uduaghan later claimed was harassment by Akpabio, the suspension was imposed. Since then, she has rejected the Senate’s assertion that her suspension had nothing to do with the harassment allegation and maintained that it was unlawful and an attempt to silence her.
In April, Akpabio petitioned the inspector-general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding an investigation and the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace”.
While Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to all the charges, the charges generated intense public discourse around free speech and political responsibility and arose from statements allegedly made by the senator during a television interview.
