FG withdraws defamation charges against Sen Natasha at Abuja Court

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), has formally withdrawn the criminal defamation charges filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

A notice of discontinuance, dated December 12, 2025, was filed by the AGF, signalling the government’s decision to abandon the prosecution.

During proceedings on Thursday, Justice Chizoba Orji struck out the suit and discharged the Senator, effectively bringing the case to an end.

The court further ordered the release of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s travel documents, as well as the title documents of her sureties, which had been seized as part of the bail conditions.

The withdrawal of the charges concludes a legal battle that began in July 2025, following public allegations made by the Senator against Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary sessions of the 10th Senate.

The case had generated intense political controversy, widening divisions within the Senate and sparking national debate over political accountability, freedom of expression, and the use of criminal defamation laws.

With the court’s decision, the long-running dispute has now been formally laid to rest.