Nigeria’s Government has moved to withdraw the criminal defamation case filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, court documents have shown.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the 10th Nigeria National Assembly represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
A notice of discontinuance filed on December 12, 2025, by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) informed the Federal High Court of the government’s decision to terminate the criminal proceedings against the senator.
The case arose from petitions submitted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, which led to criminal charges being brought against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The senator had been arraigned over statements she made on Politics Today, a programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, in which she accused Akpabio and Bello of plotting to eliminate her.
Despite her petition to the Inspector General of Police alleging threats to her life, which she said was ignored, Akpoti-Uduaghan was subsequently charged with criminal defamation and cyberbullying for publicly raising the allegations.
During the proceedings, Governor Usman Ododo, Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, Ambassador Reno Omokri, and Sandra Duru were listed as witnesses for Akpabio and Bello.
The discontinued charge is one of two criminal cases instituted by the Federal Government against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The second case, also filed by the Federal Government, is scheduled to come up on Monday and may likewise be withdrawn.
Both cases were initiated by the Federal Government, not by Senator Godswill Akpabio in his personal capacity.
This development comes days after promised to withdraw all the court cases he instituted against individuals over alleged defamation.
On January 1, SaharaReporters reported that Akpabio had directed his legal team to immediately discontinue all ongoing court cases he instituted against individuals accused of defamation, including Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and several others.
Akpabio made the announcement during a church programme, admitting that a cleric’s sermon compelled him to reconsider his actions.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” he said. “But I listened to the priest and suddenly realized he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
The Senate President did not disclose the exact identities or status of the cases, but prior reports by SaharaReporters highlight a legal confrontation between Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
In December 2025, Akpabio filed a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of publishing malicious allegations that he sexually harassed her.
Documents from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory showed that Akpabio is demanding extensive damages, retractions, and nationwide broadcast apologies, insisting that the senator’s claims severely injured his reputation and subjected him to public ridicule.
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