The Federal Government has withdrawn the criminal defamation case filed against the senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This is contained in a notice of discontinuance dated December 12, 2025, but filed on December 15 at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
The notice to discontinue proceedings in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025 was signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja.
The notice was brought pursuant to Section 108 (1), (2) (a) and (5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
A certified true copy of the notice of discontinuance dated December 18, 2025, and cited by our reporter, reads: “Take notice that the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation intend to discontinue proceedings in the matter.”
The development is coming shortly after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had made a public pledge to withdraw all cases against Senator Natasha.
Speaking during a New Year’s Day church service, Akpabio said a cleric’s sermon had inspired him to let go of the litigations.
Akpabio said: “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
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“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them,” Akpabio stated.
The three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, was instituted on May 22, 2025, barely weeks after a similar charge, CR/297/25, was filed against her at the FCT High Court.
The charge at the Federal High Court is rooted in Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Act, 2024 (as amended).
The charge stemmed from allegations that Akpoti-Uduaghan made statements capable of harming the reputations of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The government accuses the senator of making statements online that could damage the public image of Akpabio and Bello, an allegation she has consistently denied.
Meanwhile, a similar charge, CR/297/25, was filed against her at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The charge at the FCT High Court is predicated on Section 392 of the Penal Code, focusing on alleged criminal defamation.
Listed witnesses in the now-withdrawn case included Governor Usman Ododo, Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, Ambassador Reno Omokri and Sandra Duru.
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