The Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the criminal defamation case filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, court documents have confirmed.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, was facing charges arising from statements she made during an appearance on Politics Today, a television programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
In the interview, the senator accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to eliminate her.
A notice of discontinuance dated December 12, 2025, and filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation informed the Federal High Court of the government’s decision to terminate the criminal proceedings.
The charges followed petitions submitted by Akpabio and Bello, which led to Akpoti-Uduaghan being arraigned for criminal defamation and cyberbullying. This was despite her earlier petition to the Inspector General of Police alleging threats to her life, which she said was ignored.
During the proceedings, Governor Usman Ododo, Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, Ambassador Reno Omokri and Sandra Duru were listed as prosecution witnesses.
The withdrawn charge is one of two criminal cases instituted by the Federal Government against the senator. The second case, scheduled to come up in court on Monday, may also be withdrawn.
The development follows a recent announcement by Senate President Akpabio that he had directed his legal team to discontinue all defamation-related cases he instituted against individuals.
Akpabio disclosed this during a church programme, saying a cleric’s sermon prompted his decision.
In December 2025, Akpabio had also filed a ₦200 billion civil defamation suit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of making false allegations of sexual harassment. That civil case remains pending.
